'f'i^ 



HoU 



LIBRARY 






DIGGING 




CAPTAIN KYDD'S TREASURE; 



$ 



STARTLING NARRATIVE. 



If 



ONE OF THE PARTY. 




NEW YORK : 
J. B. CONKLIN, 54 GREAT JONES STREET. 

1 S 5 9 . 

Piice 10 cpntr- ] [Copyi'iglit secured. 




r* 



I 1/ 



DIG GING FOR MONEY. 



BY 



ONE OF THE I^^HTY. 



Tut money in thy Purse."— lago. 



CHAPTER I. 

Oh thou immortal bard, did ever man utter 
suggestion more important ? Well did'st thou 
know, oh ! Iting of poets, that future generations 
would adhere to thy saying, and " put money 
in their purse. The king, the heggar, the infidel 
the christian, all, all alike are struggling to 
"put money in their purses." Thy memory, 
oh ! master of the quill, will be handed down 
as it has been, from generation to generation, 
for thy many utterances of advice, none of 
which are more universally observed than is 
this, *' Put money in thy purse." 

All men are anxious to obtain money. And 
why should they noil Money is man's God, 
his assertion to the contrary notwithstanding. 
Man will leave no means untried to fill his purse 
honestly, and many will " put money in their 
purse dishonestly — but of this no matter. I 
believe that men are as honest as they can be 
under the circumstances, and their organiza- 
ti ons ; therefore I will at once to my story. 

During the summer of 1855, at the request 
of a friend, I visited a spirit-medium for the 
purpose of witnessing some of the wonderful 
manifestations which he told me he had seen, 
and which he said he firmly believed were 
made by departed spirits. 

Accordingly one evening in the month of 
August, my friend and I started and soon reach- 
ed the medium's domicile on Canal street. We 
found several intelligent men, and some pretty 
women, seated around the table with the 
medium, who, as soon as he saw my friend, 
nodded knowingly, and invited us to take seats 
at the table, which we immediately did, my 
friend sitting beside the medium, and I between 



two fair damsels. Soon it came my turn to ask 
questions of the spirits, and I took a pencil and 
wrote : — "Are there any spirits who will com- 
municate with me?" Rap, rap, rap, which 
being interpreted meant yes. 

I then wrote, " who are you ?" The medium 
seized a penci^ and wrote with the rapidity of 
lightning. 

•' I am captam Robert Kydd :" and he shoved 
the paper over to me. 

,* Captain Kydd ! " I exclaimed, "well captain, 
what have you to say? come let me learn, I am 
all attention'?" 

The medium then wrote, " You are an honest 
man." 

" Thank you, captain, that's more than most 
mortals are : but, captain, how do you know 
that; are you acquainted with me?" 

The medium then wiote, " Yes, I have been 
seeking four honest men, and you now make 
up the number, and if you will consent to do as 
I shall direct, I will put you in a way to obtain 
a large amount of treasure; but, I must see you 
alone with the medium, I can say no more to 
night. Remember I want to see you in private 
with THIS medium." 

Just at this moment I cast my eyes around 
the room and saw hanging on the wall the fol- 
lowing notice : — 

Terms. — For 15 minutes, 50cts.; for half an 
hour, $1,00 ; 1 hoxir, S2,00. 

" Oh ! oh !" I mentally said, " here's the key, 
see lue alone with the medium, eh! well, we 
will consider about that." 

I then replied aloud, " Well captain, I'll con- 
sider — my engagements are very pressing jw:.t 



Digging for Money. 



now — but I will try and have a private interview 
with you to-morrow or next day ; and here the 
medium's large, blue eyes fairly glistened, no 
doubt at the prospect of getting two or perhaps 
four dollars from me — but of that anon, he like 
all men, wanted to " put money in his purse." 

Nothing of interest took place during the 
balartice of the evening, other than one of the 
fair damsels seated beside me, and who, should 
she ever read this, vrill please pardon me for 
looking at her questions as she wrote them, but 
the truth was she had prettier hands than face,' 
and besides, her fingers were decorated with 
massive diamonds, (at least they appeared to be 
such,) and I could not avoid reading, as she 
wrote : — 

" Does Charley love me ? Will he marry 
me? How soon? &c., &c. All of which she 
told the company were satisfactorily answered* 

About 10 o'clock the circle was pronounced 
closed by the medium, and my friend and I, 
bidding Charley's delighted intended and the 
rest good night departed for our homes. 

" Now, what do you think of Spiritualism ?" 

" That it is all a Humbug," I replied. • 

" A what ! " he said in surprise. 

"A Humbug — Humbug, the word is plain 
enough, is it not?" 

" But how do you account for the tipping, of 
the table, the writing, the rapping, and above 
ail, the correct answers which were given to 
the questions'?" 

"Oh easily enough ; the medium .lid it all." 

By this time we had reached the corner of 
Broadway and Canal sts., and my friend and I 
separated, each going to our respective home. 
He, no doubt thinking that I was unjust in my 
scepticism while I pitied him, fori knew him 
to be a good, honest, truthful man, though too 
apt to be over credulous. 

I thought no more of spiritualism nor of cap- 
tain Kydd for several days. My first visit to a 
medium had fully established the conviction in 
my mind, that it was all a delusion and that 
the mediums were all impostors. 

One morning, about ten days after my visit 
to the medium, as I was on my way to my place 
of business, I met captain Smith, a well known 
business man, one who had passed twenty-five 
years of his life at sea ; as soon as he saw me 

he grasped my ha,id and said : " Mr. H I 

am delighted to see you, I was on my way up 
to your Residence — come I have a project, in 
view, which if successful will be a fortune to 



you and I, come me want you to go with me at 
once and see the medium, I have been direct- 
ed by — but no matter who at present, to bring 
you to him, come — and he fairly pulled me 
along. 

'•Why captain Smith, wheat's the matter? — 
where do you want me to go with you? Tliis 
is my business hour, and I must hasten to my 
store — I can't go anywhere with you this mor- 
ning unless it be to my place of business." 

"But you must, H. you must, I tell you I 

have received directions fiom — from — but I can 
not tell you yet, come, do come I will explain 
all to you when we get there." 

"Get where i" I asked 

"At the mediums', the spirit-mediums'.''' 

"Nonsense captain, I shall do no such thing 
do you mean the medium ox professed mediunu 
on Canal street?" 

"Yes, the same, come, come you shall not be 
detained more than half an hour, but you must 
so don't say no." 

Seeing the excited state the captain was la- 
boring under and not wishing to expose him or 
myself longer to the already occasional suspi- 
cious g'ances of the passers by, I concluded to 
go with him and see what would take place — 
and off we started down Canal street, and soon 
reached the medium's — the same that I had 
previously visited. 

We found him disengaged, and captain S. 
informed him that we should like to engage tlie 
present hour to hold conversation with the spi- 
rits, if agreeable, this he readily consented to 
and in a few moments we were seated at the 
table: when the medium observed : "you are a 
medium ! and at the same moment he took a 
pencil and wrote : " Yes and to prove it I will 
now entrance him, and make him speak." 
Robert Kydd. 

"Entrance who ?" I asked. 

"You, sir, the spirit refers to, I presume " 
replied the medium. 

"Entrance me!" I exclaimed, Pshaw !" 

"Well let us sit quietly a few moments, said : 
captain Smith, and see what will be done." 

This I reluctently consented to, and during 
the next five or ten- minutes, not a word was 
spoken by either of us. 

Presently, I began to feel a drowsy sensation' 
and my entire system seemed to be paralyzed, I 
tried to shake off the feeling, but found to my 
utter astonishment that I had no power to 



Digging for Money. 



speak or move. I remembered hearina; the medi- 
um say, "captain he is passing into a trance- 
should he speak can you write fast enough to 
record what he may say ?" I remembered no 
more, the next half-hour must ever remain a 
blank in my life's-book, and yet if I am to cred- 
it the word of my friend, during the half hour 
that I was unconscious I was busily engaged 
revealing the locality of some of captain Kydd's 
reputed hidden treasures — but as I have the 
commuiiication which I uttered, or was said to 
uttered, and which I firmly believe,! did deliv- 
er while under that singular and as T now be- 
lieve spiritual influence, I will give it verbat- 
im as it will be necessary, that the reader may 
understand the cause of my doing what I after- 
wards did. 

"Friends I thank you for this opportunity — 
for this privilege — God only knows how long I 
have desired to reveal what I shall to you. 

History has handed down to you many of my 
dark deeds, alas too many, and my name is 
blasted with crime, and used to frighten child- 
ren to obedience — my hands are red with the 
hearts-blood of my fellow creatures — all this is 
true, (and here the medium wept like a peni- 
tent sinner) true — true — oh the horrors of the 
blood-stained — damned. But, I have been told 
that there is yjt hope, and the way has been 
pointed out to me, by those who live in a high- 
er sphere, one of whom is my mother : I am in- 
formed that to progress out of this dismal state, 
it is necessary that I should reveal to honest, 
men on earth, the place where lies buried some 
of the illgotten treasures ; which I obtained 
through gores of human blood, while living in 
my earthly form, and that they must apply it to 
to the relief of suffering humanity; I saw your 
friend ( meaning the medium through whom he 
was speaking ) here a few evenings ago and 
reading his mind I discovered that he was an 
honest man, and would with the other persons 
that I have selected, act justly, and appropriate 
the treasure as it must be after it is in the pos- 
session of mortals. But one is absent, I would 
that all were present, as it is I will proceed : 
First, to the condition which each of you must 
pledge yourselves to sacredly carry out. It is 
this : — 

As soon as you have secured the treasure you 
must deposit it in some responsible Bank until 

such time as you can purchase a suitable piece 

of ground, on which you are to erect a building 
— to be called the ' Poor Man's Home.' You 

are each to have enough out of the principal 



reserved to support yourselves and family com- 
fortably during your earthly life and no more ; 
the remainder must be reserved for the poor 
and needy. With this declaration on my part, 
are you now ready to proceed V 

Here the medium and captain S h gave 

their affirmation, and the spirit proceeded'? 

"1 am warned that to retain a longer control 
at present would prove detrimental to this 
medium's health, I will therefore withdraw 
from him, with a request that you will all meet 
me here on Wednesday evening next, and you 

will please notify friend B h to this effect. 

You must all be present then. Now, good byf 
friends — brothers, good bye. Pity and remem- 
ber poor unhappy. Captain Kydd." 

When I returned to external consciousness I 
listened in amazement, to what my friend read 
to me, and could scarcely credit him when he 
told me that I had spoken the identical words 
which he read to me, but on being assured by 
him that he had written, and read precisely 
what I had uttered, while unconscious I was 
compelled to believe him, for notwithstanding 
his credulity, I knew him to be a man of un- 
questionable veracity. 

Nothing more could be received from the 
spirit of Kydd or any other, and after repeated 
attempts to get further communications, we 

concluded to leave, and captain S h handed 

the medium two dollars as payment for the 
time occupied, but no sooner did he reach out 
his hand to take it, than it was instantly, and 
violently agitated and he took a pencil and 
wrote : — 

" No he must not take any money from you 
for any services rendered : each must labor 
freely and gratuitously in this affair." 

I confess, that this had much to do towards 
strengthening the conviction that the man was 
honest in his mediumship — more so than any- 
thing that could have been done at that time. 
For where can yOu find a dishonest man who 
would refuse, after professionally earning, to 
" Put money in his purse," and I cannot pass 
over this part of my narrat. '•e without suggest' 
ing to many, particularly to those who would 
make us believe that they have a mortgage ou 
the public's spiritual welfare, and who are too 
apt to preach, and denounce all mediums as 
knaves and impostors, to endeavor to pattern 
after this one act of his, and not strive at all 
hazards, and on all occasions to accumulate 
the filthy, yet necessary lucre —but I will back 
to my story. After the medium had witteu the 



Digging fok Money. 



above he said : Well gentlemen, from this I am 
to understand that we are to meet again on 
Wednesday night ; do you feel disposed to com • 

Ply 1 If so, captain S h will you see friend 

B h and inform tiira 1 At what hour shall 

we meet V 

"At any hour that may be convenient" repli- 
ed captain S h "nine or ten o'clock." 

This I consented to and Captain S h and 

I departed. 

On reaching my store the first person I met 

was friend B h, who taking me by the 

hand said : — ''Good morning H , so you 

have been holding more conversation with the 
spirits, I learn 1 "Conversation with the spirits, 
how do you know thaf?" 1 asked, some what 
surprised that he knew that I had been to the 
medium. 

" How do I know it 1 why bless your soul I 
have the best authority, the spirits." 

"The spirits;" I asked "why; have you been 
in communication with them?" 

"Yes I have, do you not know that I am a 
medium, and have been for some time ; but let 
us go into your back office a few moments, I 
wish to say a few words to you in private." 

Chapter 11. 

"It is now some six or seven months," com- 
menced friend B h after we had seated our- 
selves in ray private office "since I first discover- 
ed that I was a medium,! was told so by the 
spirit of my sister, at the medium's, the one 
you visited this morning, "How do you know 
that I have been there"?" I asked. 

"Don't interrupt me H., it is enough fdr you to 
know at present, that I do knoiv ) ou have been 
communicating with the spirits — with Captain 
Kydd, and more — that you have been entranc-. 
ed. You need not deny it, for it is useless, 1 
know all about it, but, as I was saying, my sis- 
ter said 1 was a writing medium, and that she 
would that night, meet me in my room, and in- 
fluence me to write ; well, to make a long 
story short, I did that night set alone in my bed- 
room, and in a few moments I felt a curious 
nervous-twitching in my right arm and present- 
ly it began to move and my hand wrote : — 
"My Dear Brother — I am here with you, I love 
you ; there is no death ; I am happy; Mary." 
You may imagine my delight after reading the 
lines I had written, and I continued to sit with 
a heart overflowing with love and gratitude, 
but I could write no more that night. The nex^t 
evening I sat again, and my sister wrote more, 



and from that time to this I have been in daily 
communication with the spirit-world. 

This morning, while at breakfast, I felt a 
strong influence upon me, indicating that my 
sister wanted to say something to me, and aa 
soon as I could conveniently leave the table, I 
did so, and went up to my room and seated 
myself, with pencil and paper all ready. After 
sitting a few moments, my hand began to move 
and wrote independent of my own mind, this 
communication which I will now read to you : 

" My Dear Brother — my mission to you this 
morning is of a humane character, and urgent, 
had it not been, I should not have disturbed 
you while at your meal ; I was fearful that you 
would be surrounded by repelling influences, 
after you mixed with the business world, and 
I should then have no opportunity to tell you 
what I want to. Your friend H. and Captain 
Smith will visit a Medium this morning, and it 
is designed that the spirit of Kydd shall en- 
trance him and make him speak. This will be 
done in order to convince him that spirits do 
communicate with mortals; but he is very 
much embarrassed in his pecuniary circumstan- 
ces, and has a note to pay to day and has not 
the money to pay it — now brother, you have the 
means, and I want you to go to his place of 
business and loan him enough (two hundred 
dollars) and tell him to be of good cheer. It is 
necessary that his mind should be kept free 
from worldly trouble as mnch as possible, as he 
will be the principal medium through whom di- 
rections will be given to procure Kydd's treas- 
ure. Do as 1 request, brother, and you will 
increase the happiness of many, among whom 
is your sister Mary." 

"Well, this is very considerate on the part 
of your sister Mary," I replied, " she is right, 
I have a note to pay this day, and it is true, I 
am short of funds, and it has caused me some 
anxiety of mind." 

" Well, say no more," said B h, " here's 

the amount, take it, and pay me when it may 
be convenient." 

"Thank you B ^h or perhaps I should say 

your spiiit-sister ?" 

"Either, or both," he replied " Now what do 
you think of spiritualism ?" 

"That it is all very strange," I answered "and 
a subject worthy the investigation of every per- 
son. I then told him all that had transpired at 
the medium's that morning, and after some far- 
ther conversation he left, and I went to the 



Digging for Monet. 



Bank, took up my note, tnd felt quite happy the 
balance of the day. 

•That evening at tea I mentioned the subject 
to my wife for the first time, and told her that 
I was almost persuaded to believe in the truth 
of Spiritualism, and asked her whether she 
would like to see some of the manifestations : 

"Oh! dear no" she exclaimed, "I would not 
visit a medium for the world, and I hope you 
will not again,— it is all the Devil's doings 
Brother Davis our minister, told me so last 
evening." "My minister, not our minister, you 
know Mary that I do not belong to the church" 
" I know you do not, but soon will, I know 
you will, the Lord will yet answer my prayers 
and make you see the error of your ways and 
unite with the Church. 

" Perhaps I shall, Mary, and when I do, I 
will be as zealous in advocating the peculiar 
doctrines of John Calvin, as I have been hither- 
to in denouncing them, but, Mary, listen to me? 
we have now been married twelve years, and 
during that time we have lived happily together 
I hav3 allowed you to think and believe as you 
pleased about religious matters, while I have 
looked upon death as the end of man's exist- 
ence, and religion as a farce. I have been 
honest in my belief, as I believe you have. 
This morning I witnessed that which has 
changed my opinions. I now believe that I 
have an immortal soul — in fact, Mary, I am a 
Spiritualist, and this is not all, I am a medium!" 
" Dear me, William," replied my wife, " I 
hope you are not so silly as to beliAve that 
spirits communicate with us, or if they do, 
that they are good spirits. What will the world 
say — you will ruin yourself and family and I 
fear lose your soul." 

' Mary, T left home this morning a confirmed 
Atheist — I now believe that there i.3 a God and 
a life beyond the Grave. What can the world 
say to such a belief J 1 am a Spiritualist !" 

" Oh dear' Oh dear ! my poor, poor deluded 
husband, you will bring disgrace and ruin upon 
yourself and family ;" and here she wept as if 
her very heart would break. While she was 
giving vent to her tears the front door bell rang, 
and I went to see who was thei-e, on opening 
the door I found it to be Mary's minister. I 
invited him into the parlor : and then informed 
Mary that her clergyman was in the next room 
and I presumed he h*d called to 5ee her. 

" Brother Davis here ! " she exclaimed, "Oh 
Lord, I thank you — he has been sent here to 



talk with you --come, William, you will go in 
with me and listen to his Heavenly wisdom, 
will you not ? " 

" Certainly, Mary, I will, if it will do you 
any good," and I went with her. 

" Good evening, brother Davis," said my 
■wife, and I at the same time extended to him 
my hand, and the conversation commenced. 

"I called," said the minister, " to solicit aid 
froom you, to relieve the absolute needs of a 
poor widow, a member of our church who is 
suffering from sickness, and who i.s on the eve 
of being turned out of doors by her landlord be- 
cause she has not the means to pay her rent, I 
have received nearly the amount from Brothers 
Jones, Clark and Williams, and being in your 
neighborhood, I thought, perhaps you would 
contribute a little towards assisting to make up 
the amount." 

Certainly, Mr. Davis, certainly I will render 
what aid I can," and I handed him as much as 
1 could well afford, remarking: " Though not a 
member of your church, still I feel called upon 
to help the poor and needy whenever I can." 
This maiter being settled, I then said : "Mr. 
Davis, my wife informs me that you know 
something about Spiritualism — that you have 
satisfied yourself that it is demoniac — Is this 
so ? " 

" I have not personally investigated the sub- 
ject," he replied, " but I am informed by some 
of my clerical brethren who have, that the 
phenomena really exist, and that it is spiritual 
but evil in its source ; and I feel it my duty as 
a servant of the Lord to warn all to have nothing 
to do with it. I intend to preach upon it next 
Sabbath, and trust that you will accompany 
your wife to church, and then hear what I may 
say." 

"Do I understand you to say," I asked "that 
you have never investigated the subject your- 
self, but have formed your opinion from what 
your clerical brethren have told you ^" 

"You do," he replied; "I know nothing about 
it, from personal experience, yet, I am satisfied, 
that spiritual manifestations really occur, but 
they are produced by evil spirits." 

I then said, "How would you like me to 
judge your actions by the same rule V 

"What do you mean by the question: have 
1 done ought to call forth your criticism V 

"Not exactly" I replied, " but on my way 
home this evening I overheard a conversation 
between two persons, who in a rather subdued 



Digging for Money. 



voice, were ' evidently desirous of being very 
secret, in their conversation, but, hearing your 
name mentioned my curiosity was excited and 
I was guilty of that mean act of listening, and 
feel now that it is my duty to be still more so 
by repeating it — ^believing that the intention is 
right and the motive good. One of the persons 
— I don't like to mention names, was remarking 
as 1 came up: — "Have you seen Brother Davis, 
our minister to day?" "No" answered the other 
— "why do you ask?" 

"I called upon your friend the philanthropist, 
as he is called, and in the course of our con- 
versation, he asked whether I knew a certain 
Landlord; I answered . I did — that I had only a 
few moments previously seen and conversed 
■A^ith him. We were talking about the hard- 
times, and of the condition of the poor. He 
said that it was difficult to collect his rents — 
that his sympathy was often called out — that he 
had once been placed in straightened circum- 
stances himself, but now he had enough — that 
when his tenants, were honest and willing to 
pay, but not able, he did not distress them — this 
very day, said he "I gave Mrs Collins a receipt 
in full. Your philanthropic friend expressed 
surprise, and went with me immediately and 
asked if the woman was in distress, she answer- 
ed, no, she was very comfortable, the Lord had 
always provided for her, and she was willing 
to trust him. 

" Well," says the gentleman who began the 
first conversation, " It is strange, for I know the 
minister is now out collecting money for this 
very widow, for the purpose of paying her rent 
— he must have been deceived — or else intends 
to pocket the money." I then left your friends 
my dear sir, and now by the rule that you are 
judging spiritualism, I am bound to suppose you 
are, at least, guilty of false pretenses. 

" Oil ! husband, now that is going too far, to 
call brother Davis, a minister of God, a swind 
Icr," said my wife. 

"I do not, Mary, I am only applying Mr. 
Davis' rule to himstlf— I have no doubt, but 
that his humanitarian effort in this instance, 
has been actuated by pure and God-like motives. 
He probably had been informed that this widow 
was in distressed circumstances." 

" I was informed by sister Hardenbrook," 
said the minister, "that sister Collins was in a 
destitute condition, and would be turned out 
of doors to-morrow if her rent was not iorth- 
coming. This information sister H., gave me 
last Sabbath, and with a view to relieve her, I 



started this morning to raise a subscription for 
that purpose." 

" You only heard it," I remarked : ''and that 
last Sabbath — just as you learned that Spiritual- 
ism was demoniac. If you had, as it was your 
duty to have done in both instances, made the 
examination yourself, you would undoubtedly 
have found that your information was false. 
There is nothing, my dear sir, that displays a 
man's ignorance so much as an explanation of 
that which he confesses to know nothing about. 
No, sir, your clerical brethren, and the entire 
Priesthood may denounce Spiritualism as de- 
moniac, it would not cause me to believe it, 
until I had personally, and from experience 
found the teachings of the spirits to be demoral- 
izing and evil in their tendency." 

" I grant the power of your remarks," replied 
he, " but you know as well as I do, the weak- 
ness of the human mind, and what power the 
evil one has over a large portion of mankind — 
how plausible all this species ot logic is, to the 
uncultivated experience. This subject, my 
young friend, has already been looked into by 
the learned men of the day, and by many of 
my clerical brethren, who unite generally in 
concluding (and wisely to,) that it is a danger- 
ous thing, calculated to subvert all our present 
ideas concerning the future destiny of man, 
and his hope of salvation. No, my friend, the 
whole thing is a preposterous evil, and should 
be avoided. Take the advice of one of more 
matured years — of one who has given the 
religion of our blessed Lord a quarter of a 
century'fe trial, and v\-ho has never for one mo- 
ment during that time felt that there was any 
need of other light, than he ha'- ,ound in God's 
Holy Word : The Sacred Scriptures.^'' 

Perceiving that it would be useless to argue 
further with him, and as he manifested a desire 
to depart, I said no more upon the subject, and 
in a few moments after he left. 

'' Mary," said I after the minister had gone, 
" I did not tell you all that occured this morning 
while I was at the medium's; would you like to 
hear it?" 

"Oh no, I don't want to hear anything more 
about spiritualism, and I do hope that you will 
take the advice of good brother Davis, and go 
no more among the spiritualists." 

"Well, Mary to please you I will not men- 
tion the subject again in your presence, unless 
you desire it, but, I assure.you that I shall not 
desist from investigating it farther, at every op- 
portunity that offers, irrespectively of the ad- 



Digging for Money. 



vice of your clergyman." I then commenced 
reading a book, and she took a news-paper the 
peculiar organ of the Baptist church, (the Ex- 
aminer I believe) and I was soon absorbed in 
the midst of 'Cooper's Pioneers.' 

After a while Mary said, ''Here is something 
in the paper about spiritualism, shall I read it 
to you 1" "Yes, do" I replied glad to hear her 
mention the subject. She then commenced and 
read: — 'More Spiritual Humbuggery.' We copy 
the following from one of the spiritual so-call- 
ed papers, and present it to our readers that they 
may see it's absurdity :" 

"ReMARKABLE ViSION." 

"Mr- Editor — As you have solicited facts, 
from your readers, I have been induced to send 
to you this remarkable account of a spirit ap- 
pearing to a man, and revealing to him the way 
to obtain that which he had long and earnestly 
prayed for ; namely : peace of mind and a hope 
of Heaven. I do not feel at liberty to give the 
full name, as he has many descendants still 
living — and who might object to having the 
account published in a Spiritual publication. I 
will therefore only give his initials. 

Mr. was an earnest man, and was 

much perplexed about the future state of exis- 
tence — he could not find that eviJence which 
would satisfy him, from any of the religious 
doctrines of that day, and he made it a practice 
to pray every day to the Lord, that he might 
have revealed to him, directly, some evidence 
that would remove his doubts, and enable him 
to have that lively hope of his immortalityi 

which he so earnestly desired. Mr. C was 

not only a man of prayer, but deeds, fori am in- 
formed that he gave much and often to the poor, 

One day about nine o'clock^ while Mr. C 

was alone in earnest devotion, there suddenly 
appeared before him a Spirit. He ceased pray- 
ing and looked tremblingly at it, and said : — 

" What is iti" 

The Spirit repli-d : — "Brother C , thy 

many good deeds, and earnest prayers have been 
heard and witnessed by thy Heavenly Father, 
and I am seat, to put thee in the way to possess 
that which thy heart desires." 

He then told him to send to a certain place 
some eighty miles distance, and go to the house 
of a Mr. Simon, who lived near the side of the 
water, and inquire at that house for a man 
named Mr. S. Peter, a medium, through Tvhom 
would be told him, what he must further do. 
As soon as the Spirit had spoken this it vanished. 



Mr. C immediately called those of his 

family and hired men, who were near, and told 
them what he had seen and heard. So strong 
was the impression that the Spirit had told him 
the truth, that he decided to send at once to the 
city named by the Spirit, to learn whether such 
persons did live there. And accordingly he 
dispatched three trusty men that very day. 

They arrived at the city, during the next day 
and on inquiry, learned that there was such a 
man living there, and also that there was a 
man stopping with Mr. Simon, who pretended 
to hold communication with the Spirit-world, 
or in other words, was a medium. The men 
went to the house and knocked at the door, and 
inquired whether Mr. S. Peter was there. 

While they were at the door, Mr. Peter, who 
had been in the upper part of the house, and 
having just been in a trance, was told while 
in that state, that men would call for him — to 
go with them to a certain place, and that hf 
must go — doubting nothing ; for it seems thai 
Mr. Peter, like many other mediums, had bo 
come rather selfish, and a little vain — so mucW 
so, that when told by his Spirit guides who the 
men were, and where they wanted him to go, 
he rebelled and said : — " No, I do not feci 
willing to associate or mix with such characters. 
But his Spirit friends showed him the folly of 
such an objection, and he at last consented — 
and when the men reached the door and inquir- 
ed for him he heard them and went down and 
said : — " Come in, gentlemen, I am the the man 
you seek. What do you want ? " 

They then told him their errand and that Mr. 

C , their employer desired them to bring -^" 

him to his house. As it was late in the day, 
and the men were tired he told them that it 
would be best to remain over night, which they 
consented- to do. Early the next morning they 
atarted and some of the more zealous, believers 
in Mr.Petcr's mediumship, and the doctrines, 
he taught, concluded to accompany him. They 
all reached in safety the house of Mr. C. the 
next day, and when he saw them coming he 
came out to meet Mr. Peter and embraced him, 
saying, " it is well that you have come." He 
then took them into the house, and the medium 
was controlled and spoke such words, that Mr. 

C was convinced — and he and his entire 

house-hold became believers in Spiritualism." 
Fraternally yours : 

Credulity. 
*'I shall have to differ a little with the editor 
of the Baptist paper, Mary, 1 can see nothing 



8 



Digging for MeNEV. 



absurd in the account you have just read" I re- 
marked when she had concluded reading. 

"Why William," replied she "You do nothe- 
lieve that it is true surely V 

"Certainly, I believe it, why should I not? I 
believe that spirits have communicated with me, 
and I can see no reason why a spirit should not 
appear to the man mentioned." 

"Oh I forgot, William, you are a Spiritualist," 
said Mary in a jocose way " and Spiritualists, 
will believe anything, no matter how absurd it 
may be." 

"Of course Mary, you don't believe it, do 
you ?" 

" No, indeed I do not, I am not so foolish as 
to believe any such nonsense." 

" Still, Mary, you believe that the big fish 
swallowed Jonah; and that Joshua knocked 
down the walls of Jericho, by blowing on 
rams horns ; that he commanded the Sun and 
Moon to stand still, and they did so. That Lot 
got drunk and then ravished his daughters. You 
find no difficulty to believe these, do you ]" 

" The Bible tells us so, William, and the 
Bible is the word of God — and God permitted 
these things to be done for a wise purpose. Yes, 
William, 1 believe in my Bible, and oh how I 
do wish that you also believed it." 

"Mary" said I, "you do not believe the Bible 
if you did you would not disbelieve the account 
you have just read to me — no Mary to prove 
to you that you, like thousand other Bible-be- 
lievers, do not know what you do believe, I will 
now read to you the Tenth Chapter of Acts" — 
vvhich I did, and request the reader to do like- 
wise. 

On the Wednesday evening appointed by the 
spirit of Kydd, we all met at the medium's, 
and after we had formed a circle around the 
table, we asked if the spirit of Captain Kydd 
was present, and if so, whether he would com- 
municate. The question was answered by 
three loud and distinct raps — indicating yes, 

" Now, Captain," said B h, "we are all 

here aid at your service ; do you wish to write 
or speak what you have to say ?" 

It was then written by the medium : 

" I will control the medium I last spoke thro'. 
All of you sit quiet, and join hands. Kydd." 

We then joined hands and after sitting ten 
or fifteen minutes, I began to feel the same 
drowsy sensation I previously had experienced 
and in a few moments afterwards I was in the 
trance state. As i have a copy of the commu- 



nication Kydd spoke through me on that occa- 
sion, I will give it here : 

" Good evening, friends. I am pleased that 
you are all present — 1 will now briefly give you 
the directions, so that you can proceed as soon 
as you choose, and unearth this, one of the 
many magnets which draw and keep me near 
earth. It is but three miles distant from where 
you now are, and the place is easy of access. 
It is guarded by the spirit of the man I slew at 
the time I buried it — he is unwilling to give it 
up, and will do all in his power to prevent you 
from getting it ; but if you will follow my di- 
rections, and keep brave hearts and strong 
nerves, he cannot prevent or harm you. 

" Captain Smith, I want you to get a small 
pocket compass ; and to-morrow all be ready to 
follow the medium through whom I am now 
speaking. I shall control him and guide you 
to the spot, but you must have a compass, that 
you may take the bearings. I shall retain con- 
trol of him until you nearly reach the treasure, 
when it will be necessary that I withdraw my 
influence from him, in order to keep off" the 
spirit of the man guarding it ; as he is deter- 
mined not to yield up, what he considers his 
rights. I have done all I could to pursuaJe him 
to leave the place and progress out of his pres- 
ent condition — butjie will not listen to me ; and 
as my power to command men ceased with my 
earthly life, I have no alternative — no help, but 
such as I can obtain from you. 

"Meet me here again to-morrow morning at 
7 o'clock, and I will join you and guide you 
through this man (meaning the medium through 
whom he was speaking) to the spot. 

" Good night, and may God bless you all, is 
the prayer of Captain Kvdd." 

" Captain Kydd," said Mr. C, the medium, 
" Why not give the full directions at this sitting, 
why procrastinate]" 

While he was asking the question his hand 
began to move, and wrote as follows : 

" Friend C, through your own lips I will 
give the full directions to-morrow morning, and 
also a conclusive test that I am Kydd." 

" There now, C, what more do you want?" 
remarked friend B— h. "Captain Kydd," asked 
he, " Can you bring, as a test that this is 
really you, a Cockle shell, fresh from its ocean- 
bed ?" 

" I will try," was written, " but I must leave 
you now— again, good night, Capt. Kydd." 

" That's all very well, friend B h, but 



DrOGING FOR MOXEY. 



my experience with the spirits, has caused me 
to observe caution, and require pretty strong 
proof of identity. I can't see the consistency 
in this putting off until to-morrow, what might 
as well be done to night. Why, if this is in 
reality the spirit of Captain Kydd, can't he tell 
us in a few words, where the treasure isl" 

" Conditions, friend C. Conditions, perhaps 

are not favorable to night," replied B h, 

"keep cool and patient until to-morrow !" 

"Well," responded Mr. C, "let it he as 
Kydd desires — to-morrow morning then, and 
we all decided to go to Taylor's and get some 
oysters — which we did, and after satisfying the 
animal man, in that way, we each departed for 
our home. 

Chapter 111. 

At 7 o'clock next morning we all again were 
seated, in circle at the table, friend C. still re- 
taining grave doubts of the spirit communica- 
ting, being the notorious personage alluded to. 

" Are you present Kydd ■?'' asked B h, 

and no sooner had he spoken then there dropped 
upon the table, in the centre of the circle, ap- 
parently coming from the ceiling, a Cockle shell 
which bounded off on the floor. 

What's that ! we all exclaimed in the same 
breath, and instantly Mr. C. became entranced 
and rising upon his feet, with a solemn tone, 
and commanding attitude, said, pointing, to the 
shell — "There is a symbol of the mighty deep, 
to prove my identity. Captain Smith" contin- 
ued he; " you will wear this shell attached 
to a string around your neck, which shall prove 
to you through life a safe-guard,* against all 
danger as long as you retain it." The medium 
then picked it up and handed it to him — then 
resumed his seat still entranced. 

We each then examined the shell and all re- 
marked it's dampness and strong sea-water 
odor. "This shell will require purgation, to 
enable you, captain Smith to wear it around 
your neck," I observed whereupon the medium, 
in the same tone as before, said : 

" You have all examined the emblem I have 
just brought here, and none have seen the hole 
for the string." 

We then examined it more closely and strange 
to say, the shell actually had the hole requisite 
and nreciselv in the place that would have been 

* The philosophy connected with this talisman is not clear 
to us, but it may be, that the shell being magnetized by the 
spirit, would act as a magnet to attract him at any moment 
of danger to the yerson to whom it was given. 



selected. Captain Smith wears it to this day 
and thus far it has proved to him a safe- guard. 

The dubious reader will ask : how did the 
shell get there ; did Kydd really bring it from 
its ocean-bed ? My only answer is that, I know 
the shell was not thrown upon the table by 
either of tlte persons comprising the circle, as 
all our hands were joined, and the shell a\ as 
seen by all, to descend from the ceiling. No 
human person could have done it without de- 
tection, as it was clear daylight, and the door 
locked, and neither of the windows were up. 

" If Kydd or some other spirit did not bring 
it there, who did'' 

I did question the propriety at first, of men- 
tioning this occurrence in my narrative, but 
upon more mature reflection, I concluded that as 
the recent "Bone Story" had been received as 
an actual occurrence, by many of the Spiritual- 
ists — that peradventure, those who believed 
that the ignorant Negro, Cornelius, had power 
and did bring, a distance of 65 or 70 miles, his 
entire skeleton, and deliver it bone by bone, in 
the presence of individuals — that they would 
not require any extraordinary stretch of credu- 
lity, to believe that a more intelligent spirit 
could bring and deliver a small Cockel shell, a 
distance of 25 miles. To the decided skeptic I 
can only sa>, as some one was reputed to have 
said to the rich man in torment: " They would 
not believe, even did one arise from the dead." 

But I will not wander from my nai-rative. 

After the lapse of about ten minutes, Mr. C. 
still remaining entranced— Kydd commenced, 
in accordance to his promise, made the evening 
previous, and spoke the following directions 
through the medium : 

" You, my friends, have congregated to re- 
ceive instructions from an invisible intelligence 
concerning the locality of my buried treasure 
and the mode or means of obtaining it. I will 
not lacerate my soul anew by depicting, or 
congeal your blood by reciting, how I obtained 
it. You will proceed from here and procure 
the compass, which will be selected by Captain 
Smith, and then all take the 'Old Hudson Ferry' 
to Hoboken. After arriving there, you will go 
directly West two blocks, and by examining 
your compass, you will find that the street runs 
due North and South. Follow this street four 
furlongs, or just half a mile, and then, by 
examining your compass, you will find that the 
road leads you North-west by West half West ; 
follow this road one furlong, and then strike off 
West, toward the base of the hill, w here you 



10 



DiGGIG FOR MoNEV, 



will find* — again examine your compass, 

and go until you arrive at a rock the exact 

shape of a Coffin. Upon the top of this rock 

you will find a Cross; thirty paces lies 

three and a half feet below the surface, a fla* 
stone three feet long and two and a half feet 
wide and six inches, thick On the top of this 
stone also is a Cross. Under this lies buried in 
12 iron-pots. Two Millions of Dollars! 

You must be prepared to summon all your 
nerves, for you w'ill surely meet face to face, 
the powerful and cold-blooded miser, that I 
slew and buried near the treasure. He it is 
for years has prevented me from communicating 
this intelligence to mortals : being suddenly 
and unexpectedly stricken down while his 
whole mind, and soul were absorbed in the 
illgotten gains ; his spirit is so material in its 
nature, that he can, and will appear to you, ap- 
parently as material to mortal vision, as ever 
he appeared in life. You will therefor not be, 
frightened, for he cannot harm you. Myself, 
as well as some of my companions, have vainly 
striven to obtain sufficient control of some me- 
dium, whereby we could communicate intelli- 
gently the exact locality of this hidden treasure, 
which, alas, has dragged and kept us down to 
ihe lowest possible degradation, misery ana 
mental torment. Thanks to a merciful God! 
Spiritualism has developed mediums through 
whom spirits can make known their desires. It 
is through this medium, and the assistance of 
his controlling spirit-friends, that I am able now 
to speak to ycu, and relieve my soul of the 
load that drags it down and prevents my pro- 
gression. 

When you reflect upon the awful price this 
treasure has cost humanity — the widowed 
homes, and the fatherless children that ha^e 
been deprived of protection and support, as well 
as the innocent, helpless, victims, that were 
wantonly sacrificed to prevent disclosure of my 
villainy, I trust my friends, that you will justly 
appreciate the weighty responsibility the dis- 
covery of this treasure entails upon you. 

The penniless beggar, the homeless widow 
the ragged orphan — all, alike have a claim 
to your sympathies and support Every friend- 
ly appropriation to the relief of suffering hu- 
manity will help to relieve my soul from the 
awful load of guilt that has so long weighed 
me down in darkness and dispair. 

* As the writer yet believes that the treasure is buried 
there, he does not feel at liberty to give the exact course and 
distance further. 



This is all now. All go with captain Smith 
to procure the compass, and I will go with you. 
Friend H., keep passive, and yield to me, I shall 
control you as soon as I see it necessary. Go 
now with cheerful, hopeful hearts, and I will 
lead you to the spot." 

We then all started with captain Smith, to 
procure the compass. 

Chapter 4. 

Our sitting had occupied nearly an hour, so 
thai when we reached the place where captain 
S. told us good compasses could be procured, it 
was about half-past eight o'clock. We found 
only the Porter there, who was busy sweeping 
out the store. Captain Smith told him what 
we wanted, and he informed us that the sales- 
man had not yet come but he expected him eve- 
ry moment ; we therefore seated ourselves, 
and I soon felt that same peculiar sensation 
come over me, and ere I could speak I was once 
more lost to the external. It seemed that I had 
been only a few moments in this state, when 
the salesman arrived, and in obedience to cap- 
tian Smith's request, showed him several small 
pocket-compasses. Just as he was about to ex- 
amine them, I was brought to the counter, and 
picking up one of the yet unopened compasses, 
T said : "Here is as good a compass as there is 
in this store ;" and then turning round I said, 
to a person who at that moment entered ; "7'his 
is as good a compass as there is in this store ? 
you know sir, as you made it." He took it, and 
examined it, and said ; — 

"Yes, this compass is one of my make, and is 
as good a one as you could select out of a 
thousand; yes sir, that is a perfect compass." 
and he handed it back to me. Captain Smith 
then bought it, and we all departed for the fer- 
ry. I will here state, that during the entire 
journey from the place where the compass was 
bought, until we arrived within five or six rods 
of the spot designated by Kydd, a distnace of 
three miles, I was kept in the trance state ; or 
in other words, I was Captain Kydd. My eyes 
were open, and to the casual observer, as much 
myself as any man could be : I will therefore 
in speaking of myself, use the name of Kydd. 

" Captain Smith," said Kydd, "You keep that 
compass in your hand closed, and do not open 
it until I give you orders." 

"Aye aye sir," said he, "Which way now, 
Captain Kydd?" 

"To the Old Hudson Ferry," replied Kydd 
"come give me your arm :" and he locked arms 



Digging for Money. 



11 



with Captain Smith, and B h and C n 

also walked together behind them. 
"Where is the Old Hudson Ferry, Mr. C." 

asked B h 

"I don't know, ask Kydd." he replied. 
"Captain Kydd, where is the Old Hudson 
Ferry V 

" At the foot of Barclay street : come on I 
will lead the way," he answered. 

We soon reached the Ferry, and as there was 

no boat in the slip, B h purchased some 

cigars, and handed one to Mr. C. and Captain 
Smith, and then asked Kydd whether he would 
like to smoke. 

"No, thank you," replied Kydd, "I don't 
smoke." 

" Captain Kydd," asked Mr. C, "how is it, 
do some spirits chew tobacco, smoke cigars and 
drink liquor? I have been informed that some 
spirits do so." 

"Wait until we get on board of the boat, I 
will then answer your question." 

As the boat was then entering the slip we 
prepared to go thtough the Ferry gate. 

"Kydd," asked Mr. C, "have you any 
money to pay your passage V 

" No," said he laughingly, "but this medium 
has : I will borrow a little, and you can charge 
it to the account of the Treasure " And he 
look from the pocket a quarter of a dollar, and 
handed it to the man at the gate saying, " take 
out for four." 

By the time we had got on the bridge, the 
boat was in the slip, and just as we were about 
to step on board, intending to go into the gen- 
tleman's cabin, Kydd turning round said: — 

" Heave your cigars away and go into the 
Ladies Cabin, we shall be more quiet there, and 
as I mean to answer Mr. C.'s question, I don't 
wish to be disturbed." 

As soon as we were seated in the cabin, 
Captain Kydd turning to Mr. C, commenced 
and said : 

"Now, friend C; I will answer your ques- 
tion. Every individual has two guardian spirits: 
one correspondmg to his Spiritual or interior 
man, and the other corresponding to his Animal 
or exterior man, both of whom are always with 
him. It is not necessary that a spirit should 
be in a room, or by his side, in order to be with 
him. If th>} sympathy is strong enou^'h to at- 
tract the spirit to the physical at all, that sym. 
pathy can be extended, for ought I know, Infi- 



nitely, and J5 the Telegraph, OA'cr which every 
thought, desire and action, travel with the 
speed of lightning, making known to the spirits 
in connection with such, their whereabouts, 
conditions, and needs." 

"Why," said Mr. C. "Am I to infer from 
what you say Captain, that some mortals have 
not sufficient sympathy to attract a spirit to 
them ■? — you say, 'If the sympathy is strong 
enough at all &c." 

"There are thousands so material in their 
nature," he answered "that they have but very 
little spirituality developed, and such ap- 
pear to the spirits as a dark mass, with but n 
small glimmering spark of light in the center — 
New York is full of just such apologies of 
organized humanity — ( Wall street and the 
Filth Avenue in particular.) 

There are spirits who drink rum (and that of 
an inferior quality) and chew tobacco, smoko 
cigars, and indulge in every kind of stimulants. 
Perhaps I cannot better give you the idea I wish 
to, than by relating one or two incidents of my 
own experience during the early part of my 
spirit-life. 

" Yes do, do so," said B h, who had be- 
come intensely interested. 
" On first discovering that my spirit had sep- 
arated itself from its corporeal body, which I 
did not until two days after my execution, I 
learned that appetite was still a part of man. 

Many of my crew had gathered around me, 
rejoicing that I had arrived. 

" I say. Captain," said one, who had been 
one of my sailors during the last voyage that I 
had made and whose brains 1 had blown out 
for some mutinous remark that he had made 
when about to take the Treasure on shore to 
bury it. " I say, Captain, that was a damned 
mean act of yours, and now I intend to have 
satisfaction ;" and he advanced towards where 
I stood. My first impulse was to take a pistol 
and shoot him dead ; and I felt for one, but soon 
discovered that I was not only without pistols, 
but clothing. It may appear strange to you, 
that I had not made this discovery before, but 
I am relating now, what occurred immediately 
after consciousness was restored. Villain, I 
exclaimed, as he grasped me by the throat, I'll 
teach you, to use such language to me, and I 
seized him by the neck and hurled him from 
me. Immediately a great shout of laughter 
filled the air. And, " Hit him again Cap.! " 
" Go at V\m again, Ben., — damn his eyes, show 



12 



Digging for Money. 



him that he can't command or bully over us 
here." 

Such noise and confusion as then followed, 
no language can convey the least idea of. I 
hadjduiing my earthly career, witnessed many 
uproarous scenes, and much confusion, hut 
nothing approximated to what I experienced on 
that occasion. 

The crew were ahout equally divided in 
favor of both : but I noticed that those who 
sided with me, inwardly chuckled over my 
humiliation, for I need not say that I was 
humiliated ; the thought of placmg myself on 
a level with one of my own crew, or of receiv- 
ing aback vrord from him, was indeed humili- 
ating ; however, there was no alternative ; to 
fight or be whipped was inevitable, and we 
went at it. After a few rounds, Ben. cried for 
quarter, which I did not feel inclined to give, 
and I continued to hit him right and left, until 
five or six rushed upon me, and forced me off. 

"That will do Captain, " said one, "Ben. has 
cried quarter, and you must not strike him 
again, come now, shake hands and be friends." 
Noticing that I frowned with contempt at his 
familiar remarks, he continued and said : — 



Progress, my child and join your mother." 
Swiftly, yet distinctly, did she recede from me 
fast disappearing amidst a halo of light the 
brightness of which dazzled my sight. 

Sweet memories of my childish days possessed 
me, and "Mother, dear mother, I will., I will,' 
I involuntarily tittered. At last she had disap- 
peared entirely, and I was once more alone. 

Oh God! the bitter anguish of that moment; 
no pen can write it : no mind save the Infinite 
describe it. 

"Halloa ! Captain Kydd, you weeping here ? 
What's the matter with you ? Well it's time you 
did. Murderer !" said a horrid voice close to my 
ear. I looked, but could see no person, and I 
was in the act of speaking when voices all 
about me commenced repeating "Murderer !" 
"Murderer," "Murderer," "Ha ! Ha! Ha! Slay- 
er of men. Pirate; Robber!" Maddened by 
my feelings and the horrid yells that surround- 
ed me, I rushed fron the place, not knowing, 
whither I went. On, on, with the speed of 
thought I moved, until -I suddenly found my- 
self in the midst of men, who where singing, 
shouting and dancing, over wli^t seemed to me 
to be a dark cloud, dotted here and there with 



"Come, Captain, no putting on airs here, sparks of light. I joined them, and said : 



you don't command this crew any more ; and 
as for your considering yourself any better then 
we are — why, said he with a sarcastic smile, 
you will soon learn difi"erent." He then turn- 
ing to the rest, said : come on Boys, let's go and 
get a drink, and let the Captain seek some more 
congenial companions, he'll soon find them I've 
no dovibt." and away they all started filling the 
air with their hideous noise. 



"Friends, whq,t are you doing V 
"Raising the devil on earth," replied one : — 
come, don't you want to have some sport Ah, I 
see" said he "you are a stranger here, just come 
from earth, t\\V' and he advanced to me, and 
looking me in the face said, "Why if it a'nt 
Kydd, Hurrah ! Boys, here's the Captain, now 
what say, shall we choose him as Captain 
here7 "Yes, "was the unanimous shout, " He's 
I was alone, and memory, that part of man our man. Hurrah for Captain Kydd," and they 
that never dies, was at work; I seemed then rent the air with their shouts- 
first to realize that I was a spirit. All my hor- c^j^j^gg^,, ^^id 1 to the man who spoke to me 
rid deeds of earth-life, were vividly brought to ^^^^^ ^^^ ^.j.^ 1 no^ recognized as one of my 
mind, and I placed my hands over my eyes and g^^^ers, " it is indeed I your Captain ; tell me 
shed tears of penitence. Suddenly, I felt a light ^^^^^ ^^at does all this mean ?- what is that 



and gentle touch upon my shoulder, which sent 
a pleading thrill throughout all my system, and 
a sweet voice spake and said : — 

'•Robert, lookup." 

I started, and exclaimed, "Who speaks !" 



dark mass before us?" 

"That" replied he, " is London, and we are 
going to have a regular spree, — but Captain, I 
see you don't know the ropes yet, A' ell, I did'nt 
either, when 1 first came here, but I'll pilot you 



Looking, round I saw standing near me, with Captain if you will come." 

a smile upon her angelic countenace my mother "Lead on Jones, I will follow anywhere, to 

"Mother! dear mother," I exclaimed, "Is this free myself from my present horrible state of 

indeed you ?— " and I extended my arms to em- mind ;" and taking Jones by the arm, we passed 

brace her, when she began to recede from me, into the dark mass. Suddenly I began to see 

pointing with her hand upwards, and said : — streets and houses, and all appeared as plain 

''Robert my son, joy and peace are yet for you ; and earthly as before my execution. 



Digging ron Money. 



13 



We walked on until we came to a celebrated 
Club House, and Jones proposed that he and I 
should enter it, to which I agreed. We then 
passed through the open door into the back 
room, where we saw some twenty or thirty men 
some sitting attables playing cards — some play- 
ing billiards, and others sitting quietly smoking 
or sipping punch. 

"Here we are. Captain," said Jones; "now 
choose your man, and I will mine, and we can 
drink, play or smoke, in fact do just as they do." 

"I do not unders-tand you, Jones — what do 
you mean by choosing your man V 

'• I'll show you, Captain. Let's go up to that 
young man smoking the cigar, that's my Lord 
D.'s eldest son, he is a good fellow — likes good 
punch and cigars. I've had many drinks and 
puffs with him, come I'll show you how," and 
we went up to him. 

"Now, Captain make him drink." 

" Make him drink ! Why how can I make 
him drink V 

"Do you not see his mind?" 

" Yes, he is now saying, ' Waiter, a glass of 
pvinch and a cigar.' " 

"No, Captain, he is only thinking that, but 
you can make him give the order aloud, if you 
want to, just whisper into his mind these 
words : ' a glass of punch and a cigar, waiter,' 
and I'll go round to that other man, and do 
likewise." 

I approached close to the young man, and 
placing my mouth to his head, said, ' A glass 
of punch and a cigar.' Instantly I saw my words 
take form, and connect with his mind, and he 
gave the order to the waiter, who soon placed 
the beverage before him, which the young man 
commenced to drink. Instantly I began to feel 
all the sensations one experiences after taking 
a good glass of punch, and I found no difficulty 
while I remained in sympathy with him, in in- 
haling the essence of whatever kind of stimu- 
lants he called for. 

The ringing of the Pilot's bell, to slacken 
speed, arrested Kydd's interesting narration. 

" Now my friends," said Kydd," remember 
your previous instructions, as it will not do for 
me to control the medium sufficiently to give 
them again, as it might attract attention, and 
thereby jeopardize the whole undertaking. I 
will control his movements, simply without 
speaking — in other words, he will be your Pilot, 
all follow him in silence." 

At this moment, the boat was made fast to the 



bridge, when we all took up our march in the 
order laid down by Kydd ; He and Smith, first, 

B h and C n second . We soon arrived at 

the corner of the second block, when the com- 
pass was examined, and we found the street 
running in the direction desired, and precisely 
as before stated . We had proceeded a distance 
of about four furlongs, when Kydd spoke, and 

pointing to a mound of earth said,B ," there 

is the spot where you stood, when you were 
testing the qualities of Graham's patent buck- 
loading Rifle ; that tree in the distance, was 
your target." 

"My God ! exclaimed B as he grasped C, 

by the shoulder; "that is true to the letter. I 
was so intent in carrying out instructions that 
I quite forgot the occurrence, though it took 
place but three or four weeks since." 
"No more talking," said Kydd, "come on I will 
give you further evidence that I am Kyd'?. I 
alluded to the subject to renew your assurance 
of my presence, and power and thereby increase 
your faith; we will now proceed." 

On arriving at the angle of the road, we 
examined the compass, and found that it had the 
exact bearing before described by Kydd. We 
followed this road according to directions, when 
Kydd suddenly cried. Halt ! and said ; 

"Do you see that tree standing alone, near 
the road-side " When you get abreast of that tree, 
you will hear the report of a gun, fear not, bu* 
follow on in silence. On reaching the tree, sure 
enough. Bang, went what appeard to us to be a 
cannon, and so near to us, that we were nearly 
deafened by the noise, no smoke could be seen 
anywhere. After proceeding a few hundred 
yards further, Kydd halted again, and pointing 
to another object ahead ,(a log) said : "as soon 
as you are up with that log, another gun will be 
heard, and when, abreast of that large rock on 
the left hand, two more guns will be, heard after 
that you will hear no more cannons, while in 
this locality. My gunner Jones, with some of his 
party, are with us and these salutes are given, 
as evidence to you that I am Kydd." 
Agreeably to Kydd's prediction, af "■• as we 
came to the log, the report of anoin^x .annon 
was heard and when we reached the other pla- 
ces named previously by Kydd, the same salute 
was made, and he informed us that no more 
cannon reports would be heard, which proved 
true. 

After proceeding some distance in silence, 
Kydd again cried, Halt! and directed us to ex- 
amine the compass, which then, as previously, 



\A 



Digging fob Monet. 



corresponded with our former information. 

We now proceeded one furlong, and then 

some distance, towards the base of the 

Hill. Seeing that our course would compel us 
to pass over a large portion of wet ground and 
notiiting, that by our going about a quarter of 
a mile farther north, we could go through a lane 
which led from the main road, through a barn 
yard to the woods, and thus avoid the marshy 
ground, Mr C n suggested to Kydd, the pro- 
priety of doing so. Very well said Kydd smiling- 
ly" do so, you and Mr. B h take the lead." 

B ^h and C n, in obedience to Kydd's 

request started on arm in arm, towards the gate 
which opened in the lane, and Kydd and Smith 
followed after. In a few moments, they were 
several yards in advance of us, and Captain S- 
told Kydd, that he would have to increase 
his speed, otherwise they would soon be out of 
hailing distance, and he thought that it would 
be best that they all should keep together. 

"Don't be alarmed Captain Smith, they will 
not pass through the barn-yard gate until we 
get up to°them." 

"Why? asked Smith.' 

"Wait, you will see," he replied. 
By this time they had passed through the first 
gat^, and Mr. C. beckoned to us to hurry up, 
which Kydd did not seem inclined to do. In a 
few moments, they reached the barn-yard gate, 
when Bow, wow, wow, said 'a big dog,' whose 
savage barks and growls, warned them to de- 
sist from entering, 

"Get out, you brute !" said Mr. C." 

Bow, wow, wow," was the answer. 

"Damn the dog," said B h, and he picked 

up a stone and threw it at him. This only ex- 
cited the dog's ferocity, and he made an attempt 
to jump over the gate, which he failed to ac- 
complish, and at the same instant, B h and 

C. started and ran back to us. 

"What is the matter?" asked Smith. 

"Oh nothing of any moment, only a slight 
obstruction at the gate yonder." 

"A dog, eh !" remarked Kydd, "come on, I 
will lead the way, I told you Captain Smith, 
that they would not pass through that gate until 
we came up. 

Kydd then took the lead, 'and we each fol- 
lowed in Indian file. As we neared the gate, the 
dog commenced his attack again, and seemed 
to be more furious than before. Just as Kydd 
reached the gate, a man from the house, which 



was only a few yards distant, hallowed, and 
said; — 

"Don't go through thai gate, that dog is very 
cross! Thank you sir, for your warning, an- 
swered Kydd, but our course lies direct through 
your barn-yard and pass through it we must ; 
and as he finished speaking, he placed his hand 
upon the gate and said ; — 

Come on, and have no fear. He opened the 
gate, when we expected to see the dog bound 
out and fly at us, but no sooner was the gate 
opened than Kydd, raising his hand at the dog, 
and poniting to the kennel said, — 

Go lie down sir, and instantly the dog cow- 
ered down, put his tail between his legs, sneaked 
off; and went into his kennel. Now, come on, 
said Captain Kydd, and we passed through the 
yard, without further annoyance from the dog, 
and as soon as we reached the wood-side, Kydd 
hailed, and said , — "Externally I leave now ; 
follow directions, and fear nothing." As he 
said this, 1 passed out of the trance, and was 
again myself. "Why ! where are we ? I ex- 
claimed? " 

"On foriegn ground — in New Jersey ; but 
all's right, come on," said Mr. C. 
Chapter . V 
My God ! I exclaimed. Can it be possible, 
that t have been brought from New York, to 
Hoboken, and that while unconscious ? 
"It is really the case, replied Mr. C. You have 
been controlled by Captain Kydd, and have en- 
tertained, if not instructed us. Have you any 
idea what you have been talking about ?" 

"Not the slightest," I replied." "How very 
strange, I can scarcely credit ray own senses." 
"Oh, that is not at all strange, remarked Mr. 
C. nine-tenths of the world are apt to doubt the 
evidence of their own senses ; but Mr. H. do 
you believe in spirit Parasites ?" 

I believe in human Parasites, I replied. Why 
do you ask ? 

Simply, because Kydd, in his conversation 
through you, impressed me with the idea, that 
we all have more or less of these spirit gorman- 
dizers with us. At all events, be that as it may 
I shall hereafter observe a little caution, espe- 
cially in using tobacco, lest I may be chewing 
the weed for some spirit parasite's gratification. 
But which way shall we go now ? 

After consulting, we decided to go back to 
where we had deviated from our course, in or- 
der to ayoid crossing over the marsh, when we 



Digging for Money. 



15 



halted, and examined the compass, and then 

struck off to find the rock resembling the 

"Coffin." In a little while we came to it, and 
found it to be a perfect resemblance of that nar- 
row house in which the mortal part of man 
decays, and which, notwithstanding that our 
christian friends tell us it is not the home of the 
sleeping dead, still to them it is, if we are to 
judge from the many gorgeous tombstones, and 
great care taken to keep out intruders, held by 
them as such. Thank heaven, Spiritualism, has 
taught me to look upon death, and the grave, 
without gloom or fear. I want no tombstone, 
to mark the place of my body's decay — no 
mummering Priest, or mock ceremony over ft, 
at its burial. I would have my friends, look 
upon my lifeless mortal part as they would upon 
a worn-out garment, and I am perfectly willing, 
thai it should be the subject for the dissecting 
knife of a liberal Medical Fraternity. 

"Here we are gentlemen," said B h, "and 

thus far the work goes bravely on ; all is true 
as described by ^STydd to the letter; only think 
friend C. — and he slapped him on the shoulder, 
we now stand within thirty paces of Two Mil- 
lion Dollars I and he walked about manifesting 
the greatest ecstasy of joy. 

The spot on which we stood was wild and 
picturesque and well calculated to impress with 
the idea, that dark deeds could be committed 
Ihere with impunity 

We then shaped our course by compass and 
Captain Smith commenced to pace oif thirty 
paces, leaving the rest of us seated on the grave. 
As soon as he reached the spot, he hailed us, 
and we all started and went to him. 

"This is the spot" said Captain Smith "now 
what's to be done ; we have no further directions 
given us by Kydd ? " 

"Kydd,Kydd,Bydd!".sald a voice apparently 
at the place we had just left. 

"Who is that speaking V asked Mr. C 

" Some person in the woods" I observed," had 
we best go and see who it is?" Yes, we all re- 
plied let us go at once ; keep Mum said B. 
We had gone but a few steps. Captain Smith 
being ahead, when we saw standing in front 
of us, a most singular looking man apparently 
about forty, years of age, dressed in an old 
fashioned military suit, resting upon a musket, 
and looking menacing at us We halted i\\ 
double quick time, when Captain Smith ad- 
dressed the mar), and said : — 

„Well sir, what do you want 1" Instantly 



the man raised his musket and pointing it at 
Smith said ; — 

"Away ! from this place Thieves !" 

"Heavens!" said B — h, and he trembled with 
fear, grasped Mr. C. by the arm, who also 
manifested evident signs of alarm, "that is 
the spirit of the man guarding the treasure; 
and he shrank back pulling Mr. C. with him. 

"Don't be alarmed" said Captain S. "he 
cannot harm us," and then addressing the man 
who still remained in the same place looking 
savagely at us, said : — "My friend you are mis- 
taken, we are not Thieves, we are Honest men. 
and have come here to ascertain the spot where 
Captain Kydd buried certain treasure, we have 
his permission and intend to carry out our pur- 
pose, therefore, it is useless for you to interfere, 
as you have not the power to prevent us. We 
are your friends, and our desire is to benefit 
you, so stand aside, or I will walk right through 
you," and as he concluded speaking he moved 
forward a few steps towards the man, who im- 
mediately disappeared. 

"Thank Heaven, he is gone," said Mr. B., 
positively, I never was more alarmed during 
the whole course of my life." 

"May he not appear again?" enquired Mr. 
C, " to tell the truth gentlemen, I never was 
more frightened — I am as nervous as a man 
can be." 

We then held a council (not of war but of 
action,) and came to the conclusion that we 
would retire a little from that spot and then 
form a circle, and see wiiether we could get 
any comruunication from Captain Kydd who 
we all felt strongly impressed, had not deserted 
us. 

We then walked up the hill a few yards and 
coming to a large flat rock we each took hold of 
hands and formed a circle, and remained per- 
fectly silent for a few moments, when friend 
C's., 'hand became violently agitated, and pa- 
per and pencil were placed on the rock before 
him and his hand wrote : — 

"You, Captain Smith, stood ovcrthe treasure ; 
all return home and meet me again next 
Wednesday evening, until then farewell. 

Kydd." 

We then went back to the spot where the 
treasure was said to be buried, and took certain 
bearings so that we should have no difficulty 
in finding it again eitlier by day or night; aft- 
er which we returned to New York, and sep a- 
rated with the understanding that we should all 



16 



Digging fob Moncy. 



meet at Mr. C.'s room on the Wednesday eve- 
ning following. 

Chapter VI. 

jVgreeably to Mr. Davis' request, and the re- 
peated solicitations of Mary, -we hoth started 
Sunday morning for church, to hear Mr. Davis' 
sermon against Spiritualism. On our way we 
met Mr. Barker and his wife, who were also 
wending their way to the Lord's house of wor- 
ship. The reader will pardon me if I wander 
a little from my narrative, but, friend Barker is 
an important personage, a very strict church- 
going man and with all exceedingly self-right- 
eous ; makes very long prayers, groans fre- 
quently during service, and is always ready 
to say a word in Prayer Meetings. When I 
first knew friend B. he was what the non-re- 
ligionist, call a straight-back Presbyterian, but 
from some difficulty or misunderstanding with 
the pastor of his church, he withdrew from the 
Presbyterians and united with the Methodist. 
Here friend Barker soon became a class-leaded 
and also one of the stewards. In class, none 
were more active or zealous, and in prayer 
meeting, why, friend Barker had but few 
equals ; However, some three years ago Mr. 
B- took a dislike to the newly appointed dom- 
inie, and the result was he demanded a certif- 
icate of with-drawal; which was readily grant- 
ed and he joined friend Davis' congregation, 
and had by his indomitable will, and "Holy 
Piety" attained the position of Deacon of the 
church- Somehow Mr- Barker always succeed- 
ed in church-elevation, and the love of God 
never appeared to flow more warmly into his 
soul than it did when the brethren asked his 
opinion on some matter of church dicipline, or 
called upon him to take charge of the exercises, 
and never did he appear more luke-warm than 
when deprived of the privilege of making a 
long public prayer or exhortation, which very 
often occured when brethren from adjoining 
churches were present. The truth was friend 
B's- religion consisted in a love to be heard 
for his much speaking, and a desire to lead. 
But we will not speak further at present concern- 
ing friend Barker, we may have an experience 
to relate in a future narrative, when we shall 
enter more into the particulars. 

"Good morning sister H. Ah ! Mr. H- glad to 
see you accompanying your wife to church," 
said Mr- Barker as we walked up to them- 

"Good morning Mr. Barker — beautiful mor- 
ning," I replied. 



"Yes, bless the Lord," said he, and ne com- 
menced humming over the words ; — 

"Sweet is.the day of sacred rest 

No mortal care shall fill my breast," 

"You appear to feel quite happy this morn' 
ing,"I remarked, 

"Yes my sonl is full of glory, the Lord has 
been good to me friend H. Prosperous in busi- 
ness, and a daily out-pouring of his spirit. Why 
should I not feel happy 1 and he again com- 
menced : — 

"I'll praise my God while he gives me breath 
And when my Toice is lost in death," &c., 

We soon reached the church, when happy 
Mr. Barker insisted that Mary and I should 
occupy seats in his pew ; "vhich I reluctantly 
consented to. The choir were just singing, and 
as I took a seat the words : — 

Harl£ fi-om the tomb a doleful sound," 
fell heavily on my ears. 

After the hymn was concluded, Mr. Davis 
ffi'ered up a solemn invocation to God in which 
the Lord was requested to bless our Country, 
the President and all holding ofiice under him, 
the saint, the sinner, the church, and espe- 
cially the one we were in ; concluding with 
these words, which I noted in my memorandum 
book, and insert verbatim. 

"And Oh Lord, we pray Thee, to hasten the 
day whoiThy Holy-Sabbath, will be univer- 
sally observed, throughout this entire land, and 
particularly this city. Fill the hearts of the 
wickedconductors of the Sunday News-Papers, 
with fear, that they may no longer issue their 
Infidel Sheets, on Thy Holy Sabbath Day. Help 
Oh, Lord God, the Mayor and Common Coun 
cil of this City, to rigidly enforce such laws as 
have been enacted for the good of the people, 
especially such as compel men to observe the 
Holy Sabbath Day. Hasten the period Lord, 
when Thy People shall no more be annoyed 
by the sacrilegious sound of the car-bells — 
when the poor unfortunate misguided youths, 
will cease to disturb and distract. Thy wor- 
shipers with the cries of their unholy trafic. 
When the solemn chimes of Thy Sanctuaries, 
will be obeyed and all come into Thy temples 
of worship. These mercies and blessings we 
humbly ask for Christ Our Lord and Redeem- 
■er's sake Amen." 

The prayer concluded, Mr. Davis commen- 
ced and said : — 

"Brethren my text for this morning can be 
found in the first epistle of John IV th. Chapter, 
and 1st Verse. 
"Beloved, believe not every spirit ; but try the 



DiGGIG FOR MONEV. 



17 



spirits whether they aro-of God : because many 
false prophets are gone out into tlie world." 

Brethren, I earnestly solicit your attention 
and prayers on this occasion and may the Lord 
help me to speak with the spirit, and with 
power. (A loud, sharp, quick, Amen, from Mr. 
Barker. 
John the hcloved disciple of our blessed Lord, 
perceiving as he did with prophetic eye into 
the future, saw that in the latter days, some 
would depart from the faith , giving head to 
seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils* 
and he warned the brethren, not to believe all 
teachers, who boast of the spirit, but to try 
them by the rule of the Catholic faith ; by the 
Catholic faith, I do not mean the faith of the 
Romish Church, but the- faith, of our blessed 
Lord. The term Catholic, means universal or 
general, the Catholic epistles of the apostle are 
addressed to all the faithful, and not to a par- 
ticular Church — hence the Catholic faith im- 
plies, the faith of the true church, which is 
the church of God." 

Mr. Davis then went on to speak about the 
evil effects of spiritualism, admitting the fact. 
He denounced, ts only ministers generally do, 
all those who believe in its teachings, as Infi- 
dels and Free-lovers. He portrayed in vivid 
language, the horrors of the damned ; warning 
his flock to avoid having anything to do with 
spiritualists, or the spirits ; quoting text after 
text to prove that, ^^In the latter days some 
should depart from the faith giving heed to se- 
ducing spirits," and ever and anon, calling 
upon the Lord vehemently to check its progress, 
to stay and circumscribe Satan's influence, to 
have mercy and save those who had been led 
astray and make them come back to the house 
of Israel at once, or if such was not in accor- 
dance with His divine will, to cut them ofi" im- 
mediately, that they might no more induce, or 
lead others astray, the Mediums particularily he 
requested the Lord to remove out of the way, 
*If they will not hearken unto Thee Lord with- 
draw Thy Spirit from them— Remove them 
Lord out of the way, that Thy house may be 
filled, and Thy Holy name be blasphemed no 
more." 

Pious Mr. Barker would now and then utter a 
loud "Amen," or "Glory to God," or an awful 
groan, and roll up his eyes with holy horror 
whenever his minister would emphasize his 
remarks. Evidently, friend Barker shouted 
without fully comprehending what his clergy- 
man was saying, as on one occasion after a 



somewhat lengthy narration of the deplorable 
case of a man who had been led on step by 
step, by the communications which he had re- 
ceived through mediums, until he had finally 
become insane, and had to be conveyed to the 
Asylum, leaving an invalid wife and five small 
children destitute. "Oh, my hearers," said he, 
"think of it, here was a man, once a good and 
useful member of society, a loving husband, a 
kind father, suddenly deprived of his reason, 
his family left destitute, and he sent to the 
Mad-house, all in consequence of giving heed 
to these seducing spirits."' 

."Glory to God," said Mr. Barker, loud 
enough to be heard all over the house. 

But I will not tire the reader, with any fur- 
ther quotation of what I heard on that occa- 
sion, suffice it to say, that an hour and a half 
listening to the demonizing remarks of Mr. Da- 
vis, tended to develop the devilish condition of 
mind, which, at times, all are subject to, and 
when Mary, on our way hom<J, asked me what 
I thought of Ml-. Davis' sermon, I for the first 
time since our marriage, gave her a short and 
snappish answer. 

On Wednesday evening, agreeably to the 
communication written by Kydd, we all met at 
the Medium's room on Canal street, and as be- 
fore, we remained quiet until the spirits com* 
menced manifesting by moving the table. As " 
iisual, friend B. was the first to question, and 
he asked whether Kydd was present, and if so 
how, and through \7hom he desired to com- 
municate. We were informed by the table 
that it was his intention to oontrol Captain 
Smith, this time, and that he would give us 
further and final directions. VVe then all joined 
hands and at the suggestion of Mr. C. we 
sang a tew lines to a lively tune, to produce har- 
mony. We all knew that Captain Smith was 
a Medium, I say we knew, not from any evi- 
dence we had had, that he was, other than his 
word, as he had told us that on several occa- 
sions he had been entranced by the spirits, and 
we believed him. We sat nearly half an hour 
before the spirit could get control of him, which 
after several efforts it at last suceeded in doing, 
and spoke as follows : — 

"The top of the morning tu ye surs — or I 
should say the tail of the avening, as it is now 
nare midnight." 

"Why ! who are you"?" we asked. 

"Who am I, is it 1 Be jabers, I am meself 
and meself only, who the divil should I be but 
me own swate self, Billy O'Roke." 



13 



Digging for Mo.iev. 



"Well Billy, what under the sun has brought 
you here to-night"?" I asked. 

"Under the sun, is it 1 By the pipers that 
played before Moses, but it is not under the 
sun, that I am a tal a tal, the divil, a bit of up 
or down is there here sur, but, it's not trifling 
that I'll be, I have come to talk sense sure, to 
ye, and that's a hape more than ye hered last 
Lent-Sunday and so 'tis. 

"Who do you mean Billy V I asked. 
"Who do I mane is it 1 Well then sur, it's 
your own beautiful self, that I mane, sure, and 
was ye not at the church, and did not ye sit 
quietly and listen to the Praist, prach, and a 
prach it was, sure enough, by the bogs of Ould 
Ireland, and that's the spot that I grew at, 
a bigger pack of lies, it was never me luck 
to hear spake from the mouth of a Praist, Houly 
Vargin, but he looks at the butter-side of 
his bread close eiiough sure." 

"Billy, Billy," I said , "you must not be too 
severe upon the minister," for I concluded that 
he refered to Mr. Davis' discourse against Spirit- 
ualism. 

"Bad luck to the man, that would concoct 
such lies, and prach them to the paple — sure 
and did't he say, that the spii'its were all divils 
and so he did, and am I not a spirit? Oche 
, and sure, was he faninst me, now I'd bate the 
divil out of him, and so I would." And here 
the medium squared himself in a regular sci- 
entific, pugilistic attitude. 

' Billy, we don't think that you or any spirit 
. is a devil, we have a better opinion of the in- 
habitants of the spirit-world," said Mr. C. 

"Well be me sowl now, I like that, it's a gin- 
tleman that ye are, and so it is, if the Praists 
do say that ye're a Humbug. But I'll tell my 
errand here and be done with it. Well then to 
begin, it's not dead that I am tho' Winnie thinks 
that I'm dead, and the Praist, Heaven bless 
him for he belaves what he says, tells her 
when she goes to confession, that I'm well 
through Purgatory. But I'll not be spaking 
of what I am, but what I've come here for. 
Well, then I'm here to say a word for the good 
of all. It's money ye're after, but, ye's must dig 
for it, and so ye's must — can ye's handle the 
spade boss? (addressing Mr. C.)sure you ne'nt 
answer, it's meself that knows ye can, for 
wasn't I wid ye, the night ye used the spade so 
handy — thinking ye would get the money the 
wench* tould ye was buried near the school- 

*Mr. C. and a party did dig by direction, of the spirit- of a 
negro woman, for treasure said to have been buried by a 
party of Hessians, during the Revolutionary war. 



house, but I see ye don't want me to spake 
about that — Can ye handle a pick sur? (addres- 
sing B.) faith I know ye can't, but that is no 
fault of yours, it's owing to ye'rs bra'ing up — 
well the man that drives the pen is as nadeful as 
the man that drives the pick. Captain Kydd 
tould me to come and spake to ye's and get 
acquainted with ye's, so that when ye's was 
diggin I might help ye's — there now I'm done, 
so I'll lave." 

"Wait Billy, wait," said Mr. C. 'I would 
like to ask you one or two questions." 

"0 be aisy now boss, it's notthelike's of me 
tha,t's capable of enlightening ye's, but go on 
now, I'll do the best I can for ye's". 

"Billy, when did you die?" 

"Faith, I've yet to learn that I am dead." 

"I know that Billy, but I mean when did 
your spirit leave its earthly body ?" 

"What year is it now ?" 

"This is 1856, Billy." 

"It is indade, well then it's twenty-five years 
since I was drowned — but I'll tell ye's all about 
it. It was this wise. Winnie, that's me wife, 
that was but she has another man now, and me 
was coming till Amereky, and oiie day at say, 
Winnie said to me,said she, Billy, the mate says 
I can hang me clothes up in the fore riggin to 
dry and I want you to be after taking them up 
there and hangin them up. So 1 took them and 
went up the riggin, and was tying them tothe 
ratlin,when Tom Duffy ,that's one of the sailors 
was coming down from above and steped on 
me hand that I was howldin on by, and it 
hurtted me so that I let go me hold not think- 
ing, and fell off into the wather. Murther, I 
hallowed, as I struck the wather I'm kilt, and as 
the say closed over me, I crossed meseif. I 
had on me big brogans, so that 1 went well 
down, but I soon came up again to the top, 
and as I did, I struck me head against the side 
of the ship, and that's all I knew 'till I found 
myself on the deck again Winnie was crying 
to kill herself, and I said Winnie, be aisy and 
don't cry, I'm not kilt, but she did not m.ind 
me, and I took hould on her and shook her, 
but she didn't same to notice me. I said poor 
sowl, she thmks me kilt and has gone mad, so 
I left herajid went up to the mate, and said — 
"Mr. Mate, and sure my woman has gone cra- 
zy," but he took no notice of me aither, then I 
wentuptoTom Duffy, and said, "Tom, that 
was a mane trick ye did sure"— but he neather 
seemed to know that I was nare him. Just 
then I heard the Captain give an order to fill- 



Digging kor Money. 



19 



away, "The man's drowned by this time," said 
he, and then Winnie scramed and fell down 
on the deck, and Bridget Connolly and another 
woman took her up and carried her below, 
"Bridget, said I, I'm not drowned, is Winnie 
dead?'' But she, like the others, did'nt same to 
know that I was spaking. I then said to me- 
self — "sure they've all gone mad,' and I Vent 
again on deck, but it was all dark there, and 
I couldn't see anything and I said to me- 
self, I wi.jh I was back again in Ould Ireland, 
and soon as I said it, then I was there. Faith I 
thought I was draming. Then I met Father 
Ward, the Praist, that I once used to know 
but who was dead these ten years and more, 
and I said Houly Father, whin did ye's come to 
life again?" "Billy," said he, "you are in the 
spirit world now, do you know if?" "Faith 
no," I said, "I'm not in the spirit world — sure 
I'm in Ould Ireland." "I know it," says he> 
"the spirit world is in Ireland, and every part 
of the Earth. Billy, you are now dead to the 
world." Oh ! Murther, I said, am I dead"? — 
Where's Purgatory 1 Oh Father, houly Father 
Ward," I said, and I fell down on my knase 
and prayed and crossed meself, "don't let me be 
put into a very hot place, you know, houly Fa- 
ther, that I was not a very bad man, I confes- 
sed regularly, and did penance every day." 

"Billy," said he, "it is left to you to choose. 
Purgatory, is the state of the mind — and not a 
place, you can select just such apart,of Purga- 
tory as you like." 

"Is that so?" I said. 

"It is," said he, 

"Faith then I'll not go nare it." 

"Have ye seen the Houly Vargin and all the 
blessed saints?" I asked. 

"I have," he said. 

'•Have ye seen the Divil?" I asked. 

"No," said he "the Divil is a myth, but Billy, 
you will soon progress. There comes your Fa- 
ther, Billy, he will talk with you," and with 
that he went off; but I'll not Boiher ye further, 
now ye's will remember me, and when ye's 
digging for the money, I'll be with ye's think 
of that now," and Billy left. 

"Well really Billy is a new character, and to 
me a very interesting one," I remarked. 

"Yes" replied Mr. C. ''the spirit-world 
seems to be peopled with as great a diversity 
of minds as the physical-world. Billy has 
never visited a circle, where I was sitting be- 
fore, and it is strange that he should have come 
this evening, especially, as this meeting was 



expressly designed for Captain Kydd. 1 won- 
der whether Kydd is present," continued he, 
and as he asked the question, 1 was entranced 
and the following communication was spoken. 
"You no doubt, felt somewhat surprised my 
friends to receive a coinmunicalion from the 
source you just have, but, it was at my request 
that he came. Neither of you have an over- 
abundence of physical strength, and as the 
spirit, Billy readily consented to render such 
assistance as he could, after learning my ob- 
ject in revealing to you the treasure, I deemed 
it best that he should be placed in sympathy 
with the circle this evening, which I am happy 
to see he has suciteeded in doing. 

Captain Smith, I was much gratified to wit- 
ness your courage on the occasion of the man 
appearing ; your positiveness repelled him from 
you, I was apprehensive, that when the testing 
time arrived, you might like our brave friends 

here, Mr. B h and Mr. C h, be found 

wanting. No offence gentlemen, I do not cen- 
sure you, a man cannot at all times act the man 
you did the best you could, and that is all that 
could be expected. I will now state what you 
must do further, and then you must act. 

Prepare yourselves with the necessary imple- 
ments, and be on the ground precisely at mid- 
night. Let the night be Wednesday next, and 
do not fail to be punctual, nor allow inclement 
weather, should it be such, to prevent you from 
making the effort on that }iight. The man 
who guards the spot will continue to annoy you 
as much as possible, but do not fear him as I 
have said before, he cannot harm you. You wil' 
find one of the pots to contain^ 
63 ounces of Gold-Dust, 
4 packages of gold-rings and precious 
2 „ „ Agates, [stones, 

8 Bars of Gold, < 

10 „ „ Silver, 

1 Can containing Spanish-Doobloons. 
It will require more strength than you could 
command to raise either of the iron pots, con- 
sequently you will appreciate, the assistance of 
my Irish friend Billy. The remaining eleven 
Iron Pots, contain Gold-Dust, Gold and Silver 
bars. Gold and Silver coins, precious Stones, 
Magnets, Jewelry, and other valuables. The 
pot you will first come to, is the one I have 
given the contents of ; and should you not be 
able to take more than one away the first nighi, 
I should advise you to take that one; and pre- 
vious to a second attempt consult me here. Do 
not either of you call for me to communicate 



20 



Digging for Money. 



upon this subject, unless all are present. Should 
you either be in communication with the spirit 
world, when others are present, and 1 desire to 
say anything upon this subject, I will volunta- 
rily do so. Now you have your final instruc- 
tions, and as it is time that you retire,' I will 
leave. God bless you all." 

"One moment, Captain, if you please, the 
narration of your early experience in spirit-life, 
you remember, was suddenly prevented from 
being continued by the boat reaching Hoboken. 
Will you please continue it nowl It was very 
interesting to me, and I know that each person 
present would be happy to have you remain, 
and learn more of your experience?" said Mr.C. 

"Yes, please do," was the unanimous request. 

"Well, as you wish," said he. You remem- 
ber I was at the Club-house in London wich 
Jones, my gunner, and I was drinking punch 
through my Lord D's eldest son. I continued 
to influence him to drink and smoke, until 
he became so intoxicated that he had to be 
carried from the room, placed in his carriage 
and conveyed home perfectly insensible, I was 
still in close sympathy with him, so much so, 
that I began to feel symptoms of reaction, as 
the stimulants he had drank began to lose its 
exhilarating effects. I endeavored lo withdraw 
myself fromhim, but found to my surprise, that 
my attraction towards him was greater than 
my desire to withdraw — consequently, I was 
compelled, to remain in sympathy with him, 
and in a great degree, feel as he did. On 
reaching his residence, the servants conveyed 
nim to his room, undressed him and put him to 
bed, and he was soon left alone. He lay 
very restless, and would now and then mutter 
to himself, "what an ass, I have been, oh, my 
head, how it does ache ; I'll not indulge with 
punch again." And in this way he talked to 
himself, until finally, I saw him rise up and 
stand beside me. I was somewhat surprised to 
perceive that he recognized that I was in the 
room with him, and 1 was still more surprised, 
when I saw that his body yet lay upon the bed. 
I spoke to him and said : — "lam glad to see that 
you have come to yourself." 

"Why ! who are you ■?" said he. 

"I am Captain Kydd, and have been with 3'-ou 
all the evening." I then held a long conversa- 
tion with him, at the conclusion of which, he 
as suddenly returned to his body, and I saw 
him get up, and dress himself. It was now 
morning. 

I saw from his mind that he had no remem- 



berance of what had transpired in his dream? 
for I have since learned, that what is termed 
dream , is an actuality, and a consciouness at 
the time, of the spirit-life, though it very rare- 
ly occurs, that impressions of these visits are 
retained after waking, or if they are, but indis- 
tinctly. While a person is dreaming, the spirit 
leaves the body, and holds conversation with 
spirits : of course there is not an entire separa- 
ration, for in such a case it would be impossi- 
ble for the spirit to re-enter its body again. 
When the spirit disconnects itself temporarily, 
as in dreams, it is still connected to it by sym- 
pathy, and only when that sympathy ceases to 
exist, can the body decay. Thus 3-ou will per- 
ceive, that when you enter spirit-life, you will 
not be absolute strangers in a strange land, as 
each of you have made frequent visits here, 
while in that state known to you as dreaming. 
"Pardon me Captain, for interrupting you, but 
how did it happen, that you seemed to be an 
entire stranger, and in a strange place, when 
consciousness was first restored 1 — surely, you 
must have had dreams at some time during 
your earth-life ;" asked Mr. C 

"Certainly, my friend, I had dreams, but it 
does not necessarily follow, that I should have 
recognized the place I was in at that time. 
You cannot explore the entire spirit-world in 
dreams : I ha/e since recognized many persons 
and scenes, that I had seen while in the dream- 
state. 

I remained with the young man the most of 
that day, unable to free myself from him. Sud- 
denly I thought of Jones, and said. I wonder 
where Jones can be, when almost instantly, he 
stood before me, and said ; — "Why Captain, 
still in sympathy with my Lord D's son? 
How have you enjoyed yourself? I had a glo- 
rious time, I got my man three sheets in the 
wind, and myself shivering. After you left I 
influenced my man to play a game of all-fours 
with Dick the Minister's son, and as I had 
such a good sympathetic control with him, I 
enjoyed the game much. We beat the Minis- 
ter's son every game and won some tM'o hun- 
dred pounds from him. This made him mad, 
and he called my man a cheat. I told Ned to 
floor him, this he did not want to do, but I felt 
that the clergyman's son had insulted me as 
well, so I kept saying, floor him, don't be a fool or 
called a cheat. At last I made him draw off 
and fetch him one right between his night- 
head, and he keeled over in a jiffy. Well you 
may be sure there was a row then, and I stood 
by enjoying the sport. At last some officers 



Digging 
rushed in and arrested the young man, and he 
is now locked up. 1 left him a little while ago 
and was about to go join the boys, when I 
heard you call me, and here I am." 

" I did not call you Jones." 

"Yes Captain, you did, thoughts are things, 
here, and your thought was for me, and I knew 
it though at the time I was with the young 
man in Prison." 

"The young man you say Is in Prison. T 
should like to visit him, it is not long since I 
was in such a place myself, suppose we go to 
him — why ! where are we, I exclaimed ; where * 
is the man I have been with 1 Why this is not 
my Lord D's residence, this is a Prison ! "All 
is right Captain, here is the man I have 
just been telling you about, see how uncomfort- 
able he feels, what say Captain, lets cheer 
him up." 

"It seemed that I had no sooner expressed a 
desire to be with the man in prison, than 1 lost 
sight of the young man I had been so long in 
sympathy with, as well as the house we were 
in. In fact the desire to be with another, was 
the means by which I freed myself from him. 

"Well Jones, how can we cheer him? I am 
willing, and ready to lend a hand." 

"I'll show you. Captain, now come let's go 
close up to him, and you say as I do, 'The man 
you struck has died — you will certainly be 
tried for Murder, and be hung.' I'Jow, Captain 
now,' said Jones, and we both said aloud. 'The 
man is dead, you will certainly be tried for 
Murder, and be hung.' Immediately the young 
man began to say to himself, 'oh ! suppose that 
man should die, I shall be a murderer,' and he 
commenced to weep, and pull his hair, and 
Walk about the cell. 

"Why, Jones, that makes him feel more mis- 
erable," I said, "see how he cries." 

I shall not be able to control the medium long- 
er now. At some future time, 1 will with 
pleasure continue. Once more good night. 
Do not fail to be punctual, next Wednesday 
night." 

Kydd then left us and we closed the sitting, 
with the understanding, that we should meet 
again the next Wednesday evening, at Mr. C's 
room at nine o'clock. 

Chapter Vll. 

Agreeably to the arrangement we all met at 
the rooms of Mr. C. on the Wednesday evening 
following, and after a few moments consulta- 
tion, we started for the "El Dorado " 



21 

FOR Money 

"Well, ge.itlemen,what w ill be the best mode 
of procedure — shall we take an omnibus to the 
ferry, and then walk from Hoboken up to the 
place, or shall we hire a hack here 1" asked B. 
after we got out in the street. 

"Hire a hack here by all means," said Mr, 
C, How could we get the Treasure away, after 
we have it in onr possession if we have no con- 
veyance V 

'•True, true," responded B., "That will bo 
best," and we accordingly walked up to the 
corner of Broadway and Canal streets, when 
seeing a hack standing there we engaged the 
driver of it, to take us to Hoboken and back for 
three dollars per hour. In a few moments we 
were rattling up town towards the Christopher 
street ferry, intending to take that ferry in pre- 
ference to the Barclay street. 

"There said B , "We have no pick or 
lantern." W^hat will we do V 

"1 know where we can procure both," replied 
Mr. C. and he hailed the driver, telling him 
to drive down to Jackson's Hotel at the foot of 
Spring street, where he said the pick and lan- 
tern could be procured. On reaching the hotel 
Mr. C. and I went in, and finding Mr. Jackson 
at home, we soon had the necessary implements 
in our possession. 

"Mr. C. which way to night, so late ?" asked 
Mr. Jackson. 

"Oh, only on a spiritual expedition," he an- 
swered. "I am not at liberty to say now, but 
I will tell you to-morrow: 

"All's right I suppose, success attend you," 
said he. 

The driver looked suspiciously at us as we 
stepped into the carriage, and ventured to ask, 
what we were going to. do with the pick, spade 
and lantern. 

"All's on the square, coachee," saidB., drive 
on which he did with a hurra, for it did not 
seem to be but a few moments before we arrived 
at the ferry, and as good luck would have it, the 
boat was just about ready to start, and in a 
moment after we.were on our way across the 
Hudson. 

"Gentlemen may I ask what ye's going to do 
at Hoboken, faith, I am fearful that I'll get in 
a scrape." 

"Keep cool driver, keep cool, you will not, 
be harmed,'' said Captain Smith- 

This seemed to satisfy him, as he questioned 
no farther, but I have no doubt he thought a 



22 



Digging for Mxney. 



"heap," as our southern friends would say. On 
reaching Hobokeu, Captain Smith took an out- 
side birth alongside of the driver to act as 
Pilot, and we moved on at a rapid rate towards 
the place. 

"Friend C." said I "what is your candid 
opinion; do you really think that we shall suc- 
ceed and get the treasure to night ?" 
■'I do," he replied "some one has written that, 
•There is a tide in the affairs of men which 
taken at its flood leads on to fortune.' And I ' 
believe this is the young flood which is to fill 
our pockets vvith the needful, and I really trust 
that it is the case, for my purse is almost daily 
at low-ebb." 

"Hilloa ! what's the matter Caplain Smith ?" 

This Question was called forth by the sudden 
stopping of the carriage. 

"Don't know, balky horses I suppose, they 
have come to a sudden and dead stand," which 
in fact was the case, neither the driver's voice 
or his whip, would make them go one step. 

We all got out and I took one of the horses 
by the head, and Mr. C, the other, while Capt. 
Smith and B— h, each took hold of a wheel, and 
we pulled and pushed, the driver at the same 
time laying on the whip with all his strength, 
but to no purpose, they would not go one inch. 
After ten minutes labor iu this way we all 
ceased our endeavors to make them go, and 
being somewhat exhausted Mr. C. and I sat 
down on a log near by the carriage to rest. 
. "Driver, why did you not tell us that youi 
horses were balky ?" asked Captain Smith. 

"They are not balky sur, they niver done 
the likes of this before, and I've drovu them 
this twelve month — faith they say something, 
and its skared they are." 

*'See something, fudge, tell that to the ma- 
rines, they are balky horses and if they be- 
longed to me, I would knock them in the head," 
said Captaiu Smith. 

"Nure sur, I tell you they are not balky, a 
fraer tame niver was hitched together — they 
say something — what's that sur !" and he point- 
ed with his whip ahead of the horses. 

"Howly Mother it's a soger wid a gun, get 
out of that you blackguard, and he brought the 
whip down with a will and a get ep, but it was 
no go, the horses would not budge an inch. 

"What do you see driver V asked Mr. C. who 
atthe same time caught hold of my arm and 
tremblingly said ; "I fear that it is the spirit of 



the man guarding the treasure !" "T see a man 
standing before the horse's heads, he must be 
drunk," said he. 

Captain Smith and I then walked around in 
front of the horses, but we could see no person 
there, and we asked the driver whether he still 
saw the man. "He told us that the man had 
started and run up the road just as we reached 
the horses heads, and asked if we saw him. 

"No," said Captain Smi h, "we have seen no 
man. Now start your horses," continued he 
and the driver gave the reins a jerk in a true 
Hibernian style and said, "go on ye bastes," 
and they started off on a brisk trot without fur- 
ther urging. We ran up and got into the car- 
riage, and were troubled no more with balky 
horses during the rest of the ride. We reached 
the road-side of the woods at about half-past 
eleven o'clock, and there we stopped, and told 
the driver to wait at that spot until we re- 
turned — telling him we should probably be 
gone an hour and a half, or perhaps two hours, 
but under no consideration to leave the place 
until one of us returned. To this he consented, 
and we shouldered our tools and started. The 
path from the road through the woods was un- 
broken and a "hard road to travel," and before 
I had gone twenty paces, I had scratched my 
hands and face and tore my coat in several 
places by the briers and underbrush. At one 
time I actually dispaired of ever being able to 
reach the spot, but as everything in this world 
has an end, or I should say a change, so had 
our passage through the briers. We arrived at 
the grave and looking at our watch, found it to 
be just fifteen minutes to twelve o'clock. We 
therefore lost no time in pacing off the thirty 
paces and finding the spot. 

"Herfl we are gentlemen," said Capt. Smith. 
"Now let us go to work with a will, and we 
shall soon know for a certainty, whether there 
is any treasure buried here." He then took 
the pick and commenced to loosen the earth 
while I followed after with the spade, and 
during the next five or ten minutes, the most 
expert Corkonian could not have made a larger 
hole in the same time than I did. It wass agreed 
that we would spell each other, and as soon as 
Captain Smith and I had worked until we felt 
like resting, B. and C. took hold and picked 
and dug with equal alacrity and speed. 

We found it pretty hard digging as the spot 
was full of small stones and roots, so that our 



Digging for Money. 



23 



progress the first two feet was slow, and labo- 
rious. 

While they were at work, Captain Smith 
and I sat some few feet from them upon a log 
watching them dig, and we were both positive 
that we saw a third person in the hole who was 
busy throwing the dirt back as Mr. C. shoveled 
it out. We deemed it wise to say nothing to 
them, fearful they might become frightened 
and leave, for notwithstanding both Mr. 
C. and B — h love money as every man does, 
I do not think that either of them would have 
remained there one minute had they seen what 
we did. The weather was very sultry, and the 
mosquitoes were as thick and hungry as starved 
wolves, and equally as ferocious. 

"Captain Smith, said I in a low tone of voice 
so that they could not hear me, "do you see 
that man in the hole with C. and B. V 

"Yes I have noticed that a third person was 
there, since they commenced, but I thought as 
you said nothing, perhaps you did not see him. 
I am glad to see you take it so coolly I see you 
do not fear him." 

As the night was excessively hot, we were 
compelled to relieve each other frequently, and 
■ notwithstanding we kept both pick and spade, 
constantly in motion, at two o'clock we had 
only excavated a hole four feet square and two 
feet deep. 

"Hard work," said Mr. C. as he handed me 
the spade, after about ten minutes digging. 
•'Yes, but every spadeful makes one the less to 
throw out," I answered, and I commenced with 
renewed vigor ; and they went to the log and 
seated themselves to recruit. We then dug on. 
in silence a few minutes, when Mr. C spoke 
in a low tone, "Captain Smith, you and Mr, H 
come here quick! some person i» coming this, 
way !" We instantly dropped our tools and 
hurried up to them when they both positive- 
ly declared that they heard a voice come- 
ing down the hill. We immediatly put out our 
lantern and laying down behind the log, waited 
in breathless suspense. After remaining in 
this concealed position for some minutes, and 
hearing nothing. Captain Smith rose and cau- 
tiously moved off to reconnoiter ; while we re- 
mained concealed behind the log. 

"In a few minutes he returned, and told us 
that he could not see or hear any person, and 
that he thought friends B— h and C. had been 
deceived, and fancied they had heard some- 
hing. 



"Look there! look there!" said Mr. C, 
There is a man in the hole ! My heavens this 
is more then mortal eyes can endure. We'll, 
never get it, I am sure we never will," and he 
manifested the strongest desire to leave. 

"Don't be too sure of that," said Smith, he is 
only a spirit, and cannot if so inclned harm us, 
why, friend C. I am surprised, tliat you have 
no more courage, come man what are you 
afraid of — I wish Billy, or some other spii-it 
would control you," continued he. 

"Oh ! for heaven's sake Smith, don't express 
any such desire, it may attract some evil spirit 
to control me," said he. 

"Why, I thought you did not believe that 
there were evil spirits V asked Smith. 

"I do not, by evil I mean undeveloped 
spirits." 

" Here friend C." said I, " take some of this 
Lager Bier, it will strengthen your physical 
system, and also create a little 'dutch courage,' 
and I handed to him a bottle which we had 
brought along with us, containing some of that 
beverage. 

He took the bottle and raised it to his mouth, 
when his hand began to shake violently, and 
he threw it into the bushes and immedia- 
tely was entranced and said : — 

" It's the likes of that he should'nt be after 
drinking, wather is better for him ; come on 
now me boys, faith I towl'd ye's I'd be wid 
ye's, and now that I have controwl, I'll tache 
ye's how to handle the spade, come now sur, I 
can't be after staying long. Take the pic" 

boss B h and I'll follow after ye's wid th>, 

spade." 

" Good evening Billy, we are glad that you 
have kept your word," I said. 

" Yes," said Captain Smith, " I am thankful 
that you have controlled friend C. He is a 
great coward, don't you think he is, Billy ?" 

"Oh faith, it's himself that can't help it; 
but come on now, it's better to make the pick 
hould a bit of conversation wid the dirt that's 
on the top of the treasure than to be spaking 
about the faults of the madium," saying which 
Billy jumped into the hole, and I after him. 

After we had been about ten minutes at 
work during which time we had deepened the 
hole f-ome ten inches, Billy suddenly laid the 
spade down and said : — 

" I must lave the madium now, but I'll not 
lave ye's," and Mr. C. came out of the trance. 



24 



Digging fob Gold. 



Captain Smith then took Mr. O.'s place, and 
he and I continued the work until we had struck 

the stone, when B h and 0. relieved us. We 

• kept alternately relieving each other until about 

three o'clock, when B h, who was shoveling 

out the dh-t, suddenly cried out : — 

"Hold the light here, quick! I have the dirt 
all off the stone ! " and feeling with his hand over 
its surface, said : — 

" I feel indentations where the cross ought to 
be ; quick with the light, quick ! " 

As soon as we could get the lantern lighted, for 
we had at our first alarm extinguished it, I hand- 

ed.it to B h, but no sooner was it in his hand 

than it went out. I lighted it again and passed it 
to him, but the second attempt to get into the 
hole lighted was as unsuccessful as the first. There 
was not a breath of air stirring, nor was there any- 
thing the matter with the lamp, as it burned well 
enough while out of the hole. Several more ef- 
forts were made to get it into the hole lighted with- 
out success, when Captain Smith said somewhat 
impatiently, " Come out of the hole, and let me 
try." . 

He then took the lantern and jumped into, the 
hole, and after seven trials at last succeeded in 
keeping the lamp lighted long enough to see that 
there really was a cross apparently chiseled out on, 
the top of the flat stone. 

" Another and further confirmation," said B h, 

rubbing his hands, and manifesting the greatest 
delight. " I felt positive that we should find it all 
as told us ; who can doubt now ? " 

We were all highly elated ; even our insect 
friends, the mosquitoes, seemed to participate in 
the joy, as they sang about our ears, and kissed 
our hands and faces with an extra degree of affec- 
tion and force. 

Just at this moment a man's voice startled us. 

We ceased our talking and heard it again. We 

^ „, soon found that it was a man belonging to the 

-^ Lim house near by, and within sight, who was 

^" out at that early hour feeding his horses. 

" What time is it," whispered Captain Smith to 
me. I looked at my watch by the light and 
found it to be half-past three o'clock. 

" What shall we do," I said, " daylight will be 
upon us in a few minutes, and then we shall be in 
full view of all who may happen to pass along the 
road." 

_" We must fill up the hole as quick as we can, it 
will not do to be seen here," said Captain Smith. 
" We must take another night for it — come, let us 
commence at once, day-light is breaking." 

_ We immediately set about shoveling back the 
dirt, and just as the eastern horizon began to 
make distant objects visible we had completed, 
and so arranged the place that a casual observer 
would not suppose the spot had been molested by 



" The Diggers." We gathered up our tools and 
made all haste for the carriage. Arriving at the 
place where we had left it, we were somewhat sur- 
prised to find it gone. We then hurried on to the 
ferry, concealing the tools as well as we could 
with our handkerchiefs. 

We passed but few persons on our way to the 
ferry, and reached it just as the five o'clock boat 
was about starting. We found our driver and his 
carriage on board and learned from him that he 
bad waited until half-past three o'clock, and then 
concluded that he been " sold," or that we were 
" body catchers," and had been caught in the act of 
disinterring, and prevented from returning. He 
consequently decided that the best thing he could 
do, was to mount his box and go home. 

We arrived at C.'s room at six o'clock, tired 
and worn out by our night's " digging for money." 

The reader will no doubt ask, " Well, is this all ? 
— did you not dig again ? — if not, why ? " 

Stop, reader, if such are your questions ; we are 
not yet prepared to answer you ; but we wn^L in 
time. 

Circumstances beyond our control prevented us 
from making a second attempt the next night, and 
much to my surprise, I learned the following morn- 
ing that Captain Smith had been appointed to the 
command of the barque " Island of Cuba," and 
was to sail that day for the coast of Africa. This 
information I learned from B h, who was wait- 
ing for me at my store. 

We immediately hastened to the vessel and found 
the Captain on board, who told us that his ap- 
pointment to the command of the barque had been 
pending for several days, and that he had that 
morning received notice to take charge, and saU 
with the next ebb tide, which he was compelled to 
do, for the coast of Africa. 

Wishing the Captain a pleasant voyage and a 
speedy return, we bade him good bye, and hastened 
to Mr. C.'s room. Here we had an interview with 
the spirit of Kydd, and learned from him that it 
would be impossible for us to get the treasure un- 
less Captain Smith was with us ; and that it would 
be useless to try. We reluctantly consented to 
give up the undertaking until after Captain Smith 
returned, which did not occur till the month of 
February, 1859, when he called upon the writer and 
reported himself ready for a second trial at digging 

for Captain Kydd's treasure, but alas ! B h had 

sailed, a few weeks previous, for England, and waa 
not expected back until April. Here was another 
disappointment, but we have since arranged to dig 
again, as soon as we can effect a lease of the ground 
on which is said to lie buried Two Million Dol- 




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